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‘Banr’ Writer-Director Erica Xia-Hou Talks Maintaining Love During The Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chinese filmmaker Erica Xia-Hou talks to Deadline about her personal familial connection to her directorial debut Slamdance premiere BANR
The Canadian Chinese co-production Banr, written, directed and starring Eric Xia-Hou, made its world premiere at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival in its new home of Los Angeles, where it also had the designation of being the only narrative feature from Asia selected this year. It carries deep emotional and intimate connotations, representing a “long-time companion” or “lifelong partner.” In English, it’s somewhat similar to terms like “soulmate” or “better half,” but it places a stronger emphasis on shared experiences and growing old together. Ultimately, the nonlinear structure wasn’t just a stylistic choice—it was meant to immerse the audience in the emotional world of the characters, helping them feel the same confusion, longing, and fragmented reality experienced by someone living with Alzheimer’s.
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