Filmmaker Statement

"The movie 'You Should Smile More' explores the antiquated and sexist notion of advising women to smile more. It delves into the underlying sexism behind this statement and aims to encapsulate the rage that every woman feels when confronted with such a comment. The inspiration for this story came from a real-life interaction at our local bar, 'The Chubby Pickle,' in Highlands, New Jersey. My wife was sitting far across from me as I spoke to someone, at the bar when an older gentleman approached her and suggested that she would attract more people if she smiled more. In that moment, I witnessed a flicker of rage in her eyes, as she grappled with how she wanted to react. However, she chose to remain calm and composed, not wanting to cause a scene. Through this film, I aim to shed light on the inherent sexism that continues to persist in our society and to amplify the voices and the rage of a patriarchy that suppress it with a simple seemingly innocuous statement.