Bone
Director: Kailena Mai
Cast:Kevin Ryan, Simbi Kali, JuneSoo Ham, Idilia Valles
Crew:Chris Register, Kailena Mai, Dominic Lopez, Gina Simone, Paul Meredith, McKenzie Stubbert, Shirley Do, JP Wohl, Travis Orozco, David Lepper, James Torrescano, Michael Lentz, Maya Jones, Solal Marvel, Jack Callahan, Juan Brambila, Fernando Marquez, Zoe Hellings
Email:kailena4@live.com
Synopsis
The story follows Frank, a lonely man, desperate to genuinely bond with women on the dating apps, who's surprising way of connecting is only ever met with negative reactions. As his app addiction deepens, his ability to truly be seen diminishes...that is until he meet's someone offline, who seems to share his unusual pursuit.
Trailer
About the director
Kailena Mai is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and University of Washington Drama alum, originally from Seattle. After many years of producing, writing and acting on stage and TV, she turned to directing to tell raw, empathetic stories that challenge perspective and one's capacity for empathy. Bone marks her directorial film debut, which she is thrilled to be premiering at the Brooklyn Film Festival.
Filmmaker's note
In a world where swiping has replaced serendipity, my film explores the paradox of digital connection, how the pursuit of intimacy from behind a screen can lead to desperate choices, often leaving us questioning and feeling more alone than ever.
At its core, this film is about the longing to be visible, not just in a profile picture or a perfectly curated bio, but in the raw, unfiltered, nakedness of life. Frank’s journey takes him beyond the dopamine-driven world of digital romance, leading him to an unexpected moment of human connection.
This film reflects my fascination with modern loneliness, the ways technology shapes our relationships, and the moments of authenticity that break through when we least expect them. Despite the endless connections at our fingertips, what we’re truly searching for can often be found in the most unexpected places.