Shocking Psychological Thriller ‘The Daughter’ Unveiled: Reproductive Trauma Explored at Busan Market

At the Asian Project Market in Busan, Chinese director Guan Tian, together with producer Vivian Bao, unveiled their first feature film “The Daughter.” This thriller is a collaborative production involving teams from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and France.

The concept for “The Daughter” emerged while Guan was working on his short film “The Poison Cat,” which was shown at the Venice Film Festival and revolves around a mythical narrative of female vengeance. The core of “The Daughter” draws from the personal histories of Guan’s mother and grandmother, focusing on the complexities and challenges within these familial ties.

The plot centers around Gui, a sixteen-year-old girl who becomes involuntarily pregnant because her mother, Yishui, cannot conceive. Gui faces the daunting task of confronting an evil spirit that results from her forced pregnancy. As unsettling transformations begin to occur, the pregnant women in their village are compelled to terminate their pregnancies. However, Gui develops a profound bond with the evil spirit, which represents Yishui’s profound anguish regarding her inability to have children.

Guan explains, “The evil spirit is a manifestation of the trauma passed down through generations concerning reproduction. This theme transcends cultural and national boundaries, resonating in various Asian locales and beyond. My aim with this film is to delve into the legacy of emotions — guilt, love, resentment — that families inherit, and to examine the impact of political and traditional forces on personal lives, often leading to turmoil and despair.”

Vivian Bao, who has worked with Guan on numerous projects, remarks, “Both ‘The Daughter’ and Guan’s earlier works merge elements of mythology with the supernatural. Despite their fantastical settings, the characters and the worlds they inhabit are portrayed with remarkable realism and depth.”

Bao further comments on the thematic focus of the film, emphasizing the reproductive challenges and societal pressures faced by women. “A recurring theme is the diminishing control women have over their bodies,” she notes. “In seeking financial backers and collaborators, it’s crucial that they not only grasp the historical context but also empathize deeply with the ongoing struggle for women’s bodily autonomy.”

The production is budgeted at $1 million and is currently in the fundraising phase. One of their primary objectives at the APM is to identify an ideal filming location, ideally a mysterious and dense rainforest that exudes an aura of magical realism, with plans to commence shooting in June 2026. “We are looking to partner with local co-producers in Southeast Asia who can bring an authentic feel to the film’s setting,” Bao states.

Alongside Bao, the production team includes Ding Ningyuan, Patrick Mao Huang, and Alexa Rivero.