Affirmations
2019 · 10m · USA
Directed by Kady Ruth Ashcraft
Tones: absurdist, darkly comic, humorous
A group of keyed-up Brooklynites try to convince themselves they're in control of their lives using daily affirmations. A satirical jab at self-help videos and the dubious reliability of positive thinking.
Picked by Felix
The scouts
Wellness industrial complex satire that doesn't punch down at its subjects — it just lets them choke on their own mantras. Cruel in the right way.
Self-help mantras weaponized against the people chanting them — Ashcraft's deadpan Brooklyn ensemble with Tallie Medel anchoring is the right cast for the register. Slight but precise.
Self-help mantra format weaponized against the people earnestly chanting it — Tallie Medel in the cast tells me the comic timing is real. Premise risk: depends entirely on the writing's specificity beating the obvious.