Interview by Paul Salfen
In a recent conversation with AMFM Magazine, Eva Victor, the writer, director, and star of the poignant new film Sorry, Baby, shared her experiences bringing this deeply personal project to life. The film, distributed by A24, follows Agnes, a woman grappling with a traumatic event as she navigates the contrast between her stagnation and the forward-moving lives of those around her. When a close friend visits on the cusp of a major life milestone, Agnes begins to confront her own inertia and chart a path forward.
Victor, speaking from Austin where she was enjoying a moment of respite by the pool, expressed her excitement about sharing Sorry, Baby with audiences. “It’s been really cool to show it to film audiences,” she said, “and I’m really excited to show it to real people, too, because I think I made the film for a version of myself that needed a film because I was a person.” The film’s raw emotional resonance has already struck a chord, with post-screening encounters revealing a shared sense of vulnerability among viewers. “You kind of make a film with this feeling of, ‘Is anyone else out there? I feel alone. Am I crazy for having these feelings?’” Victor noted. Meeting audience members who connect with the film’s themes has been both affirming and bittersweet, highlighting the universal struggles depicted in Agnes’s story.
Partnering with A24, a company renowned for its high-quality, distinctive films, was a significant milestone for Victor. “I really loved the way they talked about the film,” she said, emphasizing the importance of finding collaborators who share a passion for the project. “All you’re really looking for is, do they have that fire in their eyes that they understand the importance of what it means to you, and that it somehow becomes meaningful to them, too?” A24’s enthusiasm and alignment with her vision made them the perfect fit for bringing Sorry, Baby to the world.
The filmmaking process itself was a whirlwind. Victor described the intensity of being on set, where there was little time for reflection: “It was really all go. I didn’t have a second to look around.” It wasn’t until the editing phase that she could process the experience, piecing together the film in a quiet room with her team. “You’re kind of just like, ‘Oh, okay, how are we going to puzzle this together to make it make more sense?’” she explained. The fast-paced nature of production, condensed into just 24 days, was both exhilarating and demanding, requiring efficiency and a clear focus to capture everything needed to tell Agnes’s story.
For aspiring writers and directors, Victor offered candid advice drawn from her own journey. “No one is going to come tap you on the shoulder and say you’re supposed to write,” she said. “You have to will everything you want to do into existence by just doing it.” She acknowledged the difficulty of writing without assurance of an audience but encouraged perseverance: “If you have that little seed inside you saying, ‘I think I’m supposed to do this,’ you’re the only person who can make that happen.” Victor’s own path involved taking bold risks, including quitting her comedy job to focus on creating online videos, which eventually led to opportunities that shaped her career.
Reflecting on her creative process, Victor referenced Stephen King’s advice about writing in private before sharing work with others. “When you’re ready to open the door, be sure, because you can’t get people’s opinions out of your head,” she said, emphasizing the importance of trusting one’s instincts before seeking feedback. For Victor, discovering her own expertise during the making of Sorry, Baby was a pivotal moment. “There was a moment when I was like, actually, I do know the answers to a lot of the questions people are having about the film,” she said. This realization empowered her to guide the project with confidence, even as she acknowledged the challenges of navigating the film industry as a first-time director.
Victor’s “Hail Mary” moment came when she took a leap of faith, retreating to the woods to write Sorry, Baby. “It’s just listening to what your body wants to do,” she said, describing the instinctual drive that propelled her forward despite uncertainty. This willingness to embrace risk, coupled with a belief that “even if it’s not okay, it’s okay,” underscores her approach to both life and filmmaking.
As Sorry, Baby reaches audiences, Victor hopes it offers a sense of connection. “I really do hope it makes someone feel a little less lonely,” she said, recognizing the film’s personal nature allows viewers to take away what resonates with them. With its exploration of trauma, resilience, and the quiet moments of self-discovery, Sorry, Baby invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys while finding solace in shared human experiences.
For now, Victor is savoring the moment, still immersed in the release of her debut film. “I’m in this right now,” she laughed, likening questions about her next project to asking a new parent about their next child. As she enjoys Austin’s offerings, including that well-deserved pool time, Victor encourages audiences to experience Sorry, Baby for themselves. With its heartfelt storytelling and A24’s stamp of quality, it’s a film that promises to leave a lasting impact.
