This short film follows Valerie, a teen who is struggling with her body image. Val is dealing with bullying and unrealistic body standards both on and offline, which are magnified by unattainable body ideals. With the love and support of her sister, Val finds a newfound value in loving herself just the way she is!
[Valerie speaking] Uh-uh.
[Valerie laughs]
[Bianca speaking] Why is she wearing a dead raccoon around her neck?
[Giggling]
[Valerie speaking] Are you serious? Oh my gosh, yeah, that's a bad idea.
[Valerie gasps] Oh my gosh, no, not another pimple.
[Bianca speaking] Just put a pimple patch over it. It'll be fine by the party next week.
[Valerie speaking] But, no, look, it's a big red one.
[Bianca speaking] Damn, Rudolph, just cover it up with some makeup.
[Valerie speaking] Yeah, you're right. That's what my sister usually does.
[Bianca speaking] Oh, is she back from college?
[Valerie speaking] Yeah, she's here all summer. Officially here to annoy the heck out of me. Let me change into this outfit really quick.
[Gentle piano music]
[Door squeaks and thuds]
[Words on screen] Temple
[Camera clicking]
[Valerie speaking] I really like this outfit. What do you think?
[Bianca speaking] Um, it's, it's nice, but you should probably shave a little belly fat first.
[Valerie speaking] Mm, am I, am I fat?
[Bianca speaking] I mean, you're not fat. You just wanna lose some belly fat first. Look, it's fine. Just, you need to know how to, like, squeeze in a little bit. You know, you wanna have flat abs like mine, right? Just pull up and just squeeze in. Kim Kardashian style.
[Valerie exhales]
[Valerie speaking] I can hardly breathe like that.
[Bianca speaking] It's fine. Just starve yourself in the morning, do some squats, and you should be fine.
[Gentle music]
[Door closes]
[Valerie sighs]
[Cellphone clicking]
[Valerie sighs]
[Cellphone clicking]
[Valerie’s Father speaking] Mm, babe. You give those Caribbean restaurants a run for their money. This jerk right here? Better than anything I've ever eaten.
[Vivian speaking] Um, don't let Grandma hear you say that, Dad. She'll throw a fit and disown you.
[Valerie’s Father speaking] Guess what, I'll deny I ever uttered these words.
[Valerie's Mother chuckles]
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] I mean, it is her recipe after all. I just added a few secret ingredients to perfect it, which none of you will see until it's on my will. After I'm dead.
[Vivian speaking] What? So, you're not gonna share it with me and Val?
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] No. You two might sell it to the highest bidder. You will have to sign a contract and swear under oath before you get this recipe.
[Vivian speaking] Damn, Mom.
[Valerie’s Father speaking] That's right.
[Vivian speaking] You do not play about this chicken.
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] No, I don't.
[Fork clattering]
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] Honey, aren't you gonna eat?
[Valerie speaking] No, I'm really full today, Mom. I'm just gonna stick with the salad.
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] But this is your favorite. I made it 'cause you asked a few days ago.
[Valerie speaking] - I know, but I'm just really full. I'm not hungry.
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] Are you okay? Did anything happen at school?
[Valerie speaking] No, Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry.
[Gentle music]
[Cellphone clicking]
[Cellphone chimes]
[Cellphone buzzing]
[Cellphone buzzing]
[Cellphone buzzing]
[Cellphone buzzing]
[Gentle music continues]
[Valerie sighs]
[Valerie heaving]
[Vivian speaking] Hey, are you done?
[Valerie speaking] Can you knock before you enter?
[Door thuds]
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] Good morning, honey.
[Valerie speaking] Good morning.
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] I made sausage and eggs for breakfast.
[Valerie speaking] No, I'm good. I'll just have an orange.
[Vivan speaking] Morning.
[Valerie speaking] Morning.
[Valerie’s Mother speaking] Have a good day at school.
[Valerie speaking ] Thank you.
[Gentle music continues]
[Valerie sighs]
[Cellphone clicking]
[Gentle music continues]
[Rose speaking] And then he said, "Can I borrow your pen?"
[Bianca speaking] He's totally into.
[Rose speaking] Really?
[Bianca speaking] Yeah, and he'll be at the party later. You guys, we should go to Z's Ice Cream Parlor. I think it's about to close.
[Valerie speaking] I'm not getting ice cream today.
[Rose speaking] What? But you live for Fun Day Sunday.
[Valerie speaking] I know, but I'll pass this time.
[Bianca speaking] Good idea, she needs to lose a few pounds to be skinny like us.
[Rose speaking] What?
[Valerie speaking] Yeah, Bianca's right. I'll just catch up with you guys later.
[Gentle music]
[Valerie sighs]
[Vivan speaking] Val, have you seen my... What the hell is this?
[Valerie speaking] Can you mind your business? Can you just give it back?
[Vivan speaking] No. No. I knew something was going on with you too. You didn't eat breakfast or dinner this whole week. Do you think you need to lose weight?
[Valerie speaking] Look at me, I look like a buffalo.
[Vivan speaking] A buffalo, really? Who told you that? Did someone tell you that, or did you just made up that narrative in your head?
[Valerie speaking] No, I just need to look good for the party on Saturday.
[Vivan speaking] Okay. What are you wearing?
[Valerie speaking] I'll send it to you.
[Cellphone clicking]
Cellphone chimes]
[Valerie speaking] I wanted to wear that.
[Vivan speaking] So cute.
[Valerie speaking] Yeah, but Bianca said, you know. I just need to shave off a little belly fat.
[Vivian speaking] She said what?
[Valerie speaking] Yeah, but she's right. I searched it up on Google and it says I'm, like, 10 pounds overweight.
[Vivan speaking] Don't be ridiculous. You are beautiful just the way that you are. And beauty's on the inside, not on the outside.
[Valerie speaking] That's not true.
[Vivan speaking] Look at me. You're beautiful. You have the most beautiful eyes and skin and body. And, most importantly, you have a beautiful heart.
[Valerie speaking] That's so cliche. That's what mothers say to their ugly children.
[Vivan speaking] Really? You don't believe me? All right, let's see what my friends have to say.
[Cellphone clicking]
[Cellphone chimes and buzzing]
[Vivan speaking] See? Look, this is just public opinion. Doesn't matter what other people think about you. What matters is what you think of yourself. And that Bianca girl? She's toxic and you need to get rid of her. You need friends who are gonna lift you up, not tear you down. You know what, go on your phone and block her on all your socials. Do it now or I'll do it for you.
[Cellphone clicking]
[Vivan speaking] Good. You don't need this. I want you to go to that party, wearing that outfit, and live your best life. Eat whatever you want to eat. You are perfect. You're a stunner.
[Valerie speaking] Thank you so much.
[Vivan speaking] I love you.
[Valerie speaking] I love you too, sis.
[Gentle music]
[Camera snaps]
[Lively music]
[Camera snapping]
[Credits]