Filmmaker Statement

I directed this after an experience dealing with a bully who was so arrogant and immature, and it drove me mad. This person would use negative joking as a way to assert dominance and would always get away with it by saying he was kidding. I came to realize that if I got mad at him, it was exactly what he wanted - he would use my anger to try and make me look dumb. The main character in the film, MONA, has a similar experience and confronts her co-worker, DERRICK, after his non-stop bragging and making fun of people under the guise of “just kidding” to answer away his misogyny. Mona challenges him to a baseball game (even though she doesn’t play) and through spirited competition ends up hurting Derrick the same way he hurt her, and becomes the thing she hates. Being honest and upfront with your feelings is how we can solve these issues. Everyone has issues they’re dealing with and the sooner we understand that, the sooner we can connect.