Good fortune goes south in Dead Pigs, which, true to its title, starts off with the sudden and unexpected deaths of a large percentage of the swine population. Set in Shanghai, the residents of the affected city (including a beauty salon owner, an American architect and a pig farmer’s son) are less curious about what may be causing the epidemic than focused on the uncertain direction of their own lives.
The lives of our central characters intersect—and clash—as the epidemic gets worse, and we as an audience are along for the ride in a colorful, bustling city that is accompanied by the occasional musical number. Utilizing the talents of a multinational, multi-generational cast, Cathy Yan’s energetic comedy about culture, class and extraordinary situations seamlessly alternates between humor and reflection on the current state of modern China without ever missing a beat.
Growing up, filmmaker Cathy Yan lived in both Hong Kong and Washington, D.C. She earned her MFA from the Tisch Schools of Arts Film Program. Her script for Dead Pigs (‘17) was a Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab Finalist and earned a place on the Purple List.
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