The Cocktail Party


Trailer

Synopsis

The Cocktail Party

The plot

Jessica Sanders  United States  2021  4:55  

A young waitress unexpectedly turns a cocktail party into a martial arts action film about empowerment.

Director Biography

Jessica Sanders is an Academy Award – nominated, Sundance and Cannes Award – winning director and producer of narrative and documentary films and commercials.

Jessica won the 2020 SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for her pilot “Embrace” about an Iranian-American young woman exploring the world of professional hugging set in Oakland, CA. Jessica’s last VFX heavy short film “End of the Line” starring Brett Gelman (Fleabag) and Simon Helberg (Big Bang Theory) based on a story by Aimee Bender, premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was part of TNT and Refinery29’s Shatterbox Film Series.

Jessica’s work can be seen at: www.jessicasandersfilm.com

Director Statement

I've always loved martial arts action films, playing with comedy, and I've been interested in connecting with my Chinese heritage, giving inspiration to create "The Cocktail Party" - a martial arts action short film about empowerment. Inspired by the action comedy of Jackie Chan and some of my favorite films like “Kung Fu Hustle,” the film stars black-belt Tae Kwon Do martial artist Charlotte Taschen, Olympic rhythmic gymnast Eugenia Yuan and martial artist Jen Kuo Sung. It was a visual joy to create.

My team was the amazing DP Larkin Seiple who lensed the viral Childish Gambino “This is America” video and the Sundance-winning “Swiss Army Man.” Editor Monica Salazar cut the Sundance-winning “Honey Boy” and is editing Alejandro Inarritu’s latest film. Sound re-recording mixer Aaron Glascock was nominated for an Oscar for “Birdman.”

Specifications

  • Project Type: Short
  • Genres: Action, Martial Arts, Comedy
  • Runtime: 4 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date: March 1, 2021
  • Country of Origin: United States
  • Country of Filming: United States
  • Language: No Dialogue
  • Shooting  Format: Digital
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Film Color: Color

Screenings

Screening Date Tickets
BLOCK B: Serious Lees, The Cocktail Party, Food Club @ Virtual Theater September 2, 2021, 7:00 am PST Purchase Tickets

Credits

  • Producer Patricia Seely
  • Key Cast Eugania Yuan
  • Key Cast Jen Kuo Sung
  • Director / Writer Jessica Sanders
  • Writer / Key Cast Charlotte Taschen