On the tenth anniversary of the pandemic, Chi looks back on a lonely and loveless lockdown as a single Asian in New York City, sharing the experience with listeners of her podcast 'Chi with Love'. From the daily grind of cleaning rituals and self-isolating at home, to the heartache of being judged in the streets by mask-wearing strangers; Chi is inspired to reveal her feelings, hidden beneath her mask. Testing her idea in Times Square, Chi fails at first to get others to see the real her. But then, when all seems lost, she bumps into another lonely heart and makes an instant connection with her contagious 'smile'. Love at first sight -- despite the virus, the paranoia, the lockdown, despite it all.
Directed by Naman Gupta
English, 8 minutes, 2020, USA