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TIKTOK CHALLENGED

Claretha is a soap opera-loving grandmother who always dreamed of being a star. Now, with the advent of social media, she has her chance to grab the spotlight, and she is determined to go viral on TikTok to make it happen. But TikTok is confusing, so Claretha enlists the help of her distracted grandson Daryl to teach her how to do a TikTok dance. As the two of them struggle through the challenge, Claretha realizes that it's not as easy as she thinks to gain viral fame. But whether or not they go viral, she and her grandson discover something infinitely more valuable in the process. Directed and written by Ivan Rome, this warmhearted short comedy gets many laughs over the generational differences of technology use, as a curious grandmother elicits the help of her grandson to help her go viral on TikTok. 

TikTok Challenged – Charlotte Film Festival 2023

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TikTok Challenged (Short 2023) - IMDb

But the laughs are sweetly gentle, not sharp and satirical, thanks in part to the storytelling's focus on the characters and the loving relationship they have with one another -- a bond that becomes even more enjoyable and affectionate as they work on a seemingly impossible task together. Much like Claretha herself, the film itself has a laidback, easygoing feel, with its warmly burnished cinematography and steady pace charting Claretha's narrative arc. Vignettes of Claretha's imagination, where she envisions herself in a glamorous Hollywood spotlight, provide spots of cheeky visual humor. There's also fun in the witty, down-to-earth writing, like when Claretha asks Daryl about "Tick Tack" and then hijacks his plans to hang with a friend, instead enlisting him to help her get famous. Things get going as Claretha tries to learn the dances, giving actor Christine Smith as Claretha many wonderful opportunities to show off flourishes of physical comedy in an overall warmly grounded performance. But the real crux of the story is how these different generations come together, as a distracted and reluctant Daryl begins to bond with his grandmother. They have fun with the silly dances, but they also have the chance to share perspectives and experiences more. Genuine conflict arises, though, when Daryl proves too distracted by his phone and friends online to listen to Claretha. But happily, Daryl finds the error of his ways, and both grandmother and grandson discover even better than going viral: making happy memories and cherishing time with our loved ones with full presence and enjoyment. It ends TIKTOK CHALLENGED on a sweet, wholesome note, ending a fun ride filled with peach cobbler and funky dancing with a smile on the face and a warm feeling in the heart. Even if they don't go viral, Claretha and Daryl have a joyful memory that will live on, well past the time it takes for a trend to come and go.

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