neon heart productions and more avenue present
An actor loses their dream role because of their "ugly cry" — causing them to spiral down the dark and dangerous path to perfection.
When Delaney's boyfriend leaves town to shoot a splashy zombie movie, she becomes obsessed with a character she's auditioning for after she learns the producers think she has an "ugly cry." But when she tries to make her cry prettier, her performance suffers. Can she contort herself, and her face, to have the perfect cry?
Her attempts to change herself cause Young Delaney to haunt her, catapulting present-day Delaney deeper down the rabbit hole. She isolates herself and grows increasingly delusional, and interested in physical fixes to her acting problem. How can she make the world see her as she sees herself? How can she become and become and become? She will become famous. Or die trying.
UGLY CRY began as an existential comedy about beauty standards, but quickly transformed into a psychological thriller about the underbelly of perfectionism, comparison culture, and the cutthroat nature of the gig economy. It's not body horror, but it is a film about the horror of having a body.
As a former child actor, I learned to objectify myself before I learned to read.
Before I owned a training bra, my mom helped me buy a push-up bra to audition for a character described as "voluptuous" and "sexy." My understanding of self—and the performativity of gender and sexuality—has always been informed by this industry. Too pretty, not pretty enough. Too tall, not tall enough. Too emotional, not emotional enough.
Reading between the lines of what someone says they want and what they actually want can drive you mad. Try doing that in isolation, in the age of self-tapes where you can keep recording and recording and recording until you make yourself perfect. What does perfection in performance even mean?
This film explores this tension, which is so present in the film industry, and increasingly present on phones and screens everywhere. Now everyone gets the joy (hell) of comparison whenever they open up Instagram.
The film questions how one can retain a sense of self, and their sanity, while pursuing these unattainable standards.
Cry with abandon. But don't wrinkle your face. Be beautiful. But not intimidatingly beautiful. Be real. But not too real. Be you, but better. That's how it feels sometimes.
Ugly Cry is my way of exploring the contradictions and impossible expectations of women today.
EMILY ROBINSON is a writer, director, and SAG Award-nominated, Special Drama Desk Award-winning actor known for her work in EIGHTH GRADE, THE YEAR BETWEEN, PRIVATE LIFE, THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING, and TRANSPARENT.
She is thrilled that her directorial debut feature film, UGLY CRY, is making its premiere here at SXSW. Her short films have screened at numerous festivals, such as LA Film Festival, Outfest, and Frameline.
Her debut novel, CONSUMED, was published in 2023.
Robinson holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia University.
Producer/writer/director Rhianon Jones formed Neon Heart Productions in 2015 with the goal of being a resource for new, female, independent filmmakers. Operating out of New York and Los Angeles, Neon Heart Productions develops projects that will inspire and elevate the role of women both in front of and behind the camera. We come on early in the development process and continue our boutique production services throughout the lives of our films.
With 7 films having premiered at Sundance, and several more at SXSW, Tribeca, TIFF and Rotterdam, NHP films can be found on Netflix, HBO, Apple TV, Amazon and Shudder.
More Avenue is a film and television production company run by Jolene Mendes, Sophia Sabella, and Pablo Feldman, focused on elevated, globally minded storytelling with both commercial and critical appeal.
Notable credits include Edge of Everything, recipient of the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; She Paradise, a coming-of-age feature that premiered at Tribeca; and the Oscar-shortlisted Bienvenidos a Los Angeles, recognized for its powerful social impact. Most recently, they wrapped Ugly Cry, the debut feature from Emily Robinson, starring Robin Tunney, Aaron Dominguez, and Ryan Simpkins.
Beyond film and TV, More Avenue operates a content studio producing standout brand and music content. Known for bold visuals and strategic storytelling, the Grammy Award-winning team has collaborated with artists including Doechii and Tyler Childers, as well as brands such as AMC Networks and Reddit.