Smile 2022 Short Film by Ivana Strajin

Smile (2022) – A gripping dark comedy short film by Ivana Strajin. A twisted tale of humor & suspense. Watch now!

🙂 Smile (2022) — Dark comedy Short Film by Ivana Strajin

A sharp, darkly comic look at the absurdities of the U.S. healthcare system, Smile takes one woman’s very bad day and turns it into a domino‑run of misfortune you can’t help but laugh (and wince) at. Written and directed by Ivana Strajin, this Massachusetts‑made short premiered at the 2022 Boston International Film Festival and has since charmed audiences on the festival circuit with its mix of satire, slapstick, and social commentary.

🧭 Overview

Genre: Dark comedy / Drama
Writer & Director: Ivana Strajin
Cast highlights: Alexa Renée (Isa), Laura Bertrand, Annie Kerins, Sriram Emani, Izzy da Rosa
Runtime: ~14 minutes
Premiere: Boston International Film Festival, April 2022
Other screenings: Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2022, Saint Augustine Film Festival Part Deux 2023
Filming location: Massachusetts, USA
Language: English

Smile Short Film Trailer

📖 Story in Brief

Isa’s day starts with a simple goal: get her braces fixed. But when her insurance is declined at the orthodontist’s office, her attempt to sort it out spirals into chaos. On the way to an important life event, she’s hit by a car 🚗💥 — and instead of sympathy, she’s handed yet another medical bill.

Bruised, broke, and running out of time, Isa stumbles through a series of increasingly ridiculous encounters, each one underscoring the impractical, impersonal nature of the systems meant to “help” her. She survives the accident… but will she make it to the event that matters most?

🛠️ Creative “Tools” & Style

Satire with bite: Uses humor to highlight the maddening bureaucracy of healthcare.
Escalating mishaps: Each scene raises the stakes and the absurdity.
Grounded performances: Alexa Renée’s Isa is relatable, resilient, and just the right amount of unhinged.
Visual irony: Bright, everyday settings contrast with the protagonist’s spiraling misfortune.
Tight pacing: Keeps the comedy sharp and the tension building.

✅ Pros & ❌ Cons

Pros

🎯 Relatable frustration: Anyone who’s battled insurance red tape will feel seen.
😂 Dark humor: Balances real‑world critique with laugh‑out‑loud beats.
🎭 Strong lead: Alexa Renée carries the chaos with charm.
🎥 Festival‑ready polish: Cinematography and editing keep it snappy.

Cons

⏳ Short runtime: Leaves you curious about Isa’s life beyond this day.
🌀 Heightened absurdity: Some moments lean into caricature — which may divide viewers.

🌟 Key Features

Healthcare satire: A comedic lens on a serious, universal frustration.
Female‑led narrative: Both in front of and behind the camera.
Festival success: Multiple screenings across U.S. festivals.
Massachusetts flavor: Local cast, crew, and locations give it a distinct sense of place.

🎯 Use Cases & Applications

Film studies: Example of how to blend social critique with comedy in short form.
Advocacy screenings: Could spark conversation about healthcare reform.
Actor reels: Showcases comedic timing and physical performance.

👥 Who Is It For?

Dark comedy fans: Viewers who enjoy humor with a sting.
Healthcare warriors: Anyone who’s ever been stuck on hold with insurance.
Festival audiences: Looking for smart, fast‑paced shorts with personality.

💡 Humanized Takeaway

Smile isn’t about happiness — it’s about the absurd hoops we jump through just to get what should be simple. Strajin turns a bureaucratic nightmare into a comedy of errors, reminding us that sometimes all you can do is laugh… and keep moving.

🔍 Find More & Support

Official film page — synopsis, festival news, and stills.
IMDb listing — full cast, crew, and production details.
Daily Free Press feature — background on Ivana Strajin and the film’s premiere.

If you’d like, I can also create a scene‑by‑scene storyboard for Smile so you can “watch” Isa’s chaotic day unfold in a visual recap without spoiling every punchline. Would you like me to prepare that?

nageshwardas