Experiencing Interruptions?

Lovebites

As the reality of their relationship changes, Cat struggles to reconcile with the thought of her relationship with her boyfriend Chidi coming to an end. Despite growing evidence that presents itself, Cat fights to keep the doomed relationship going. Who will be brave enough to end this bad romance?

  • Chinwe Okorie
    Director
  • Chinwe Okorie
    Writer
  • Nava Mau
    Producer
    Waking Hour, Generations
  • Amy Aniobi
    Producer
    Insecure
  • Khali Sykes
    Key Cast
    "Cat"
  • Ukairo Ukairo
    Key Cast
    "Chidi"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Romance, drama, thriller
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 20, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Chinwe Okorie

Chinwe Okorie is a Nigerian-born writer, director, and editor in Austin, TX.

At age six, she immigrated to the United States and watched her first film, Titanic. It was then that her love affair with cinema began. While in college, she made a huge splash by launching a student-run TV station. Named after the school’s mascot, Topper TV was honored with The Rising Star Award, and Study Breaks magazine featured Chinwe as their Next Big Thing in 2014. Through her work on Topper TV, she honed her skills in writing, film editing, and film production.

After college, Chinwe went on to write and direct short films. Lovebites is her third short film. Chinwe has collaborated on well-received female-led projects such as the viral web series, Nneka the Uber Driver, and the We Are film series, which is distributed by Issa Rae. Recently, she edited her first feature film Ultimate World and has more projects such as Uncomfortable Woman, Stolen Plans and Access Granted slated for 2020.

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Director Statement

Lovebites is a thirteen-minute narrative short about the final day of a toxic relationship. I have never been in a relationship, but I have been in many "situation-ships." There was one in particular that caused me a lot of emotional pain, despite it only lasting for two months. So, after the “situation-ship” had dissolved, I poured myself into a script that would later become Lovebites.

I wanted to explore that stage in a relationship when one party pulls away and loses interest while the other’s desires are growing. Initially, the story was about a woman who realizes too late that her relationship was coming to an end. Through split-screens, the woman investigates how and when the relationship went sour.

As the script developed, I noticed that many of my friends were in toxic relationships. One friend in particular would confide in me for help and we would spend some time together reflecting on her troubles with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, each time we made progress, she would return to the man and problems that gave her grief. I reworked Lovebites and modeled it after that friend's relationship and I sent her the script to read in hopes that she would see herself in Cat, the protagonist. I was very happy to hear that she connected with the story. She expressed deep heartbreak for Cat and opened up even more about why it is difficult to leave relationships similar to Cat’s. However, that deep connection didn't last long because my friend is now engaged to the same man who has caused her pain.

Because of that, Lovebites exist to expose that internal dilemma women find themselves in when they are in toxic relationships. When I was going through that short-lived “situation-ship,”, I had my blinders on and failed to see the reality of my relationship. Now, I see these blind spots in my friends’ relationships, and it has inspired me to deliver an honest and realistic portrayal of a modern romance.

My film serves as a warning sign to the audience, saying: know when to turn and run, know when to let go, know how to prioritize yourself, or else you will become Cat.