Emma Seligman’s ‘Shiva Baby’ to stream exclusively on Mubi

Writer-director Emma Seligman's much-anticipated directorial debut feature, Shiva Baby is set to stream exclusively on Mubi from June 11, 2021. The upcoming feature is based on a short film by the same name, which was helmed by Seligman during her days at NYU's Undergraduate TV and Film Program. The short film premiered at SXSW in 2018, went on to Woodstock Film Festival, TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest and is now a Vimeo Staff Pick.

Shiva Baby is a darkly playful comedy of unease about a young bisexual woman grappling with tradition and independence, featuring emerging actor-comedian Rachel Sennott in the lead role. The feature focuses on the story of Daniella, a college student on the verge of graduating who is faced with a series of increasingly awkward and humiliating encounters at a climactic day-long shiva, a Jewish gathering of friends and family during a time of mourning. Under the watchful gaze of her neurotic but well-meaning parents, Danielle is bombarded with prying questions from overbearing relatives and rattled by the appearance of an ex-girlfriend with whom she’s still smitten.

A refreshingly remarkable depiction of the humour, confusion and euphoria that accompanies young female sexuality, Shiva Baby is a bold take on modern filmmaking at its most daring, hilarious and unforgettable.

The film also stars Molly Gordon, Polly Draper, Fred Melamed and Dianna Agron. The music is composed by the eclectic composer and multi-instrumentalist Ariel Marx.