Céline Roustan
Charlie is on a long road trip with her younger sister. Spending such a long stretch of time together, she has to play her big sister role while also hiding her sex addiction. With Thirstygirl, first time filmmaker, Alexandra Qin delivers a very sensitive slice-of-life narrative. As writer, director, and producer, Qin crafts a story that not only depicts the bond between sisters, but also highlights the effects of such an addiction, choosing authenticity rather than sensationalism.
“I wished there could have been a piece of art that would have helped me feel less alone”
A deeply personal film for the director, Qin revealed that Thirstygirl is actually based on her own relationship with her sister and her experiences with sex addiction. “When I was going through the worst of it, I wished there could have been a piece of art that would have helped me feel less alone”, she shared. This sentiment is what prompted her to pen Thirstygirl, first a feature length screenplay and then this short, set in the same universe. “It was really important to me that my first film be about this topic”, she added, lamenting the fact that the depictions of sex addiction we usually see on-screen lack compassion and understanding, and are never portrayed by an Asian woman.
The success of a slice-of-life narrative often relies on whether it can be emotionally grounded, to really connect deeply with an audience – the authenticity of Qin’s screenplay guarantees that this is exactly what her short delivers. The focus of the film is on the relationship between Charlie and Nic, but told from the older sister’s perspective. While Qin does not reveal what the purpose of their trip until the end of the film, from their dynamic and the overall atmosphere, we can tell that they are definitely not going on vacation. As an addict, Charlie finds it increasingly hard to conceal her craving, as she’s with her sister 24/7, trapped in a car. With the situation intensifying her need for a quick fix, Qin details this inner battle incredibly well, ensuring she fleshes out her protagonist, while simultaneously depicting how the addiction affects her.
“We worked with an Intimacy Coordinator to choreograph the intimate scenes” – Qin discussing the production of Thirstygirl.
Working with DP Fletcher Wolfe (Daddy’s Girl), they opted for a 4:3 ratio, trapping us in Charlie’s mindset without being too restrictive. Allowing us to stick in her close proximity, the cinematography not only invites us into the intimacy of the sisters, it is also quite remarkable in framing the toll of her addiction. Capturing the struggles Charlie has in trying to maintain control, the photography works to amplify this compelling depiction and grants the audience a greater understanding of her decision making.
Just like any addiction, for Charlie there is a mounting urgency when she needs a fix. While the images contribute to showing how it takes control of her, the pacing of the film also echoes this overwhelming feeling. Recent S/W alum Esteban Pedraza (Bogotá Story, featured last week) , credited as creative producer and editor – and Qin’s husband – recreates the cyclical nature of addiction in the edit. Charlie is stuck in between the craving, the consumption and the aftermath, and Pedraza immerses us in her desperation and frantic energy by expertly amping up the pace in key moments. Only to slow things down later, when she is in that short-lived satisfied state of mind.
Samantha Ahn as Charlie in Thirstygirl.
Samantha Ahn delivers a breathtaking performance as Charlie, nailing all the subtlety and nuances of Qin’s screenplay. From battling the emotional turbulence of addiction cycles to having to be strong for her younger sister, Ahn manages to simultaneously deliver on those two levels, often with very little dialogue. The camera frequently lingers close to her face, allowing her expressions to truly capture the raw and sensitive aspect of the film.
Making its online debut today, Thirstygirl had its World Premiere at the 2023 edition of Provincetown, before being selected for the 2023 Palm Springs ShortFest and later the 2024 editions of Sundance and SFFILM. Qin is currently securing funding for the feature version of Thirstygirl, with the project included in the 2024 edition of Gotham Week. She is also writing a new feature screenplay, which she describes as “a twist on a classic romantic comedy premise that’s really about why we fall in love with unavailable people”.