I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) Encapsulates Hardships of The Pandemic

Fresh off of its sold-out SXSW 2021 debut, I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) proves to be a film that encapsulates the hardships brought on by the pandemic. Director Kelley Kali also stars as the main character, hustling to care for her daughter, after she was recently widowed. The film chronicles Danny trying to come up with $200, to secure an apartment. Homeless, she attempts to pass off their sleeping nightly in a tent, as an extended camping trip. After dropping her eight-year-old daughter off at a friend’s apartment in the morning, Danny navigates various jobs from braiding hair to delivering food, all on roller skates under the hot California sun. Kali succeeds behind and in front of the camera, in making the audience feel her character’s continuous struggle throughout the film. The film is her directorial debut with Angelique Molina. They manage to not only put a relatable face to Homelessness but present the daily struggles that we must face, during the pandemic. This spilled over into the creation of this film as the crew worked through Covid restrictions, resorting to guerilla filmmaking to finish scenes. Social distancing restrictions forced them to shoot most scenes with just two actors, which proved to be very engaging within each subject matter of the respective scene.

A native of California, Kelley Kali is an alumnus of Howard University. Upon graduation, she joined the team of a PBS film, “Prince Among Slaves”, under actor/director Bill Duke as the behind-the-scenes documentary filmmaker which resulted in an opportunity at Entertainment Tonight back in her hometown of Los Angeles. She later decided to break out on her own and focus on media for social change with her attention on child trafficking issues in Haiti. From her work in Haiti, Kelley was awarded a scholarship to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts MFA in the TV and Film Production Program. She would go on to graduate and continue to create content promoting social change.

I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) is a necessary gem in these struggling times. Look for a hilarious cameo by Deon Cole, who is also one of the producers of this project. The world may be different, but the struggles of the impoverished are still the same.

Movie Rating: 4 stars.

Movie Rating Guide

About Author

Mark Vodery

Mark Vodery was a Managing Editor of Occhi Magazine. A member of the National Association of Black Journalists, he studied Mass Communications at West Chester University. As an experienced session vocalist, he has toured the world and had several original works featured in film and television. Mark has been involved with several New York City projects including Feel the Music! and Make Music New York. An avid music lover, he takes pride in his extensive vinyl collection and spends his free time helping to facilitate service projects that benefit at-risk youth, through artistic philanthropy. Mark is based in New York and resides in New Jersey with his lovely wife and two daughters.

See author's posts