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Shiva Baby 2020
ComedyComing-of-age comedyIndependent
Shiva Baby is a 2020 American comedy film written and directed by Emma Seligman, marking her first feature as director. The movie features Rachel Sennott in the role of Danielle, a young bisexual Jewish woman navigating life's uncertainties while attending a shiva gathering with her parents, Joel (Fred Melamed) and Debbie (Polly Draper). Also present are her former girlfriend Maya (Molly Gordon) and her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari), along with Max’s wife Kim (Dianna Agron) and their crying infant. Supporting cast includes Jackie Hoffman, Deborah Offner, Rita Gardner, and Sondra James.
Based on Seligman's own 2018 short film, Shiva Baby made its online debut at the 2020 South by Southwest festival. Its initial public showings occurred at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The movie was made available in theaters and via video on demand in the United States on April 2, 2021 through Utopia. The entire story unfolds in real time within a single setting, as Danielle confronts her romantic and professional future under constant scrutiny from relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors.
Critics responded favorably to Shiva Baby, recognizing Seligman's screenplay and direction, the acting, soundtrack, portrayal of bisexuality and Jewish identity, and how it captures overwhelming tension. The film earned multiple awards.
Cast
- Rachel SennottDanielle
- Molly GordonMaya
- Danny DeferrariMax
- Polly DraperDebbie
- Fred MelamedJoel
- Dianna AgronKim Beckett
- Jackie HoffmanSusan
- Cilda ShaurSheila
- Glynis BellKatherine
- Sondra JamesMaureen
- Rita GardnerMrs. Bronstein{{sfn|Oscars|2022
- Deborah OffnerEllie
- Vivien LandauRoz
- Ariel EliazRabbi
Crew
- Director
- Emma Seligman
- Screenplay
- Emma Seligman
- Producer
- Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
- Cinematography
- Maria Rusche
- Editing
- Hanna A. Park
- Music
- Ariel Marx
Details
- Production
- 7 Sennotts, Bad Mensch Productions, Dimbo Pictures, It Doesn't Suck Productions, Neon Heart Productions, Thick Media
- Distributor
- Utopia
- Budget
- $200,000
- Box office
- $359,247
