CAN
Drama, Short Films, 08-Oct-2024
While battling breast cancer, a filmmaker reexamines her relationship with art and self. Kailee McGee directs and stars in “Can,” a liberating self-portrait with insights extending far beyond just the filmmaker’s condition. Kailee, aka McGee, has breast cancer. She also has an unclear idea of how to tackle it all. Her boyfriend “copes with cookbooks” and crew members on set assure her that the beanie is a good look despite her doubts. Frustrated and unable to escape a feeling of self-disgust, her friend Whitmer keeps it real and shares his advice: lean into it, make it your thing, and tell it how it is. Left with limited options, she tries, struggles, but doesn’t stop. A unique approach to a personal documentary, McGee’s self-deprecation and humility paints a multi-layered picture of a serious health struggle. With its artful approach and incisive vulnerability, the painting is emotional while it maintains moments of surprising humor. -JM. Director: Kailee McGee. Cast: Kailee McGee, Whitmer Thomas, Mamoudou Athie, Ellyn Jameson. Producer: JP Bolles, Kailee McGee. DP: Patrick Jones. PD: Rose Curry. Edited by: Richie Costales, Kailee McGee. Additional Editing: Mike Giambra. Original Music: Andrew Orkin. Art Direction: Tahryn Smith, Conor Brown.