by Adele Franck
Film
Artist’s Statement
I set out wanting to describe the feeling of being the odd one out at a party. You don’t know anyone, your interjections don’t land, and you’re outside of every inside joke. (I think it’s probably happened to all of us at least once). Then, what if you put this lonely person up against people who have closed themselves off entirely? Behind all the absurdity, that is the core of Monk Fruit.
With this group of friends, I wanted to portray them as a cult, as extremists of today. In our world, diet and wellness are not only a symbol of social status, but also a marker of strength. Are you strong enough to say no to a Levain chocolate chip walnut cookie? I am not.
In this case, it’s the idea that if you can control what goes in your mouth, you can control everything. But at that point, how much control do you have when living in a prison of your own making? With such a firm grip on life, you might end up cutting the beautiful things like love, friendship, and picnics!
Adele Franck is a French American writer/director whose work blends magical realism and dark comedy to explore the nuances of contemporary life. She recently directed a short documentary-commercial for Land Rover Defender, and her short film Monk Fruit (2024) premiered at LA Shorts International Film Festival and Cannes Indie Shorts. Her previous films have screened at festivals including Cucalorus, HollyShorts Comedy, and Imagine This.
Adele honed her craft under the mentorship of Rian Johnson, contributing to Knives Out, Glass Onion, and Poker Face, most recently serving as associate producer on Wake Up Dead Man. She is currently developing her first feature, continuing to craft stories where internal worlds vividly come to life.