Rachel Sennott and ‘Bunnylovr’ Director Katarina Zhu On the ‘Chaos’ of Working With Animals: ‘The First Day, the Bunny Peed on the Laptop’

In the movie “Bunnylovr,” directed by Katarina Zhu for her debut, we follow the life of Rebecca, a 20-something New Yorker who works as a personal assistant during the day but secretly works as a cam girl at night. However, things take a sour turn when one of her clients sends her an unexpected gift – a soft, white bunny. This changes their relationship significantly.

At the Sundance Film Festival, starting this Saturday, a movie featuring a small, snowy-hued creature is set to debut. Although I can’t reveal any plot details, creator and star, Zhu, assures us that no rabbits were injured during the production of “Bunnylovr.” Working with a real animal, however, proved to be quite an educational challenge for Zhu.

During our initial interaction with the rabbit, it ended up soiling my laptop – quite a challenging experience, Zhu shared at the EbMaster Studio, hosted by Audible. However, by the end of it all, I grasped what made the rabbit feel at ease. It was certainly worthwhile, but be prepared for disorder.”

“On our first day working with the bunny, it accidentally soiled my laptop – quite a difficult situation, as Zhu explained at the EbMaster Studio by Audible. Eventually, I figured out what the rabbit required to feel comfortable. The experience was rewarding, but you should expect some level of chaos.

Fortunately, Zhu didn’t have to care for the animal alone during breaks. “The rabbit arrived accompanied by a team of seven individuals. It was essentially two people from the Humane Society, two animal handlers, an animal agent… and there were actually two rabbits on set, much like having two child actors.

Amidst the bustling energy of New York City, “Bunnylovr” was captured on camera. When Rebecca isn’t engrossed in her computer work, she navigates the sprawling metropolis, managing her strained relationships with her ex-boyfriend (Jack Kilmer), artistic best friend (Rachel Sennott) and ailing, distant father (Perry Yung).

Zhu remarked that the process was quite chaotic,” he said. “We had to dodge passersby and even captured some with gaping mouths, yawning, in our footage.

Sennot, who also served as a producer, believes that filming on-site, specifically in the bustling city of Manhattan, ignites the movie’s vitality.

During filming, we’d often pass by a fire station, and the firefighters would excitedly exclaim, ‘We’re in the movie!’ We replied, ‘Wow, that’s fantastic.’ So, for just one take, could you please refrain from shouting…

Through “Bunnylovr,” Zhu aims to explore the longing for connection within her generation, as they navigate an era marked by growing digitalization.

Just like many individuals her age, she spent a significant portion of her youth navigating the online world. She acknowledged, ‘I was deeply immersed in the digital sphere.’ Her fascination stemmed from seeking connection, validation, and control that seemed elusive in her offline experiences, contrasting it with the raw, uncomfortable authenticity of real-life relationships.

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2025-01-26 04:18