By Justin DeCausey
How would you react if your life took a turn for the worst? Catherine McCord, an eighteen-year-old young woman, took control of the narrative and turned a negative experience into art. You’re Gonna Be Okay is the recipient of the 2019 Kathy Reichgerdt Inspiration Award from the world’s largest film festival for emerging directors, film festival NFFTY. The documentary follows triple-threat writer, director, and editor Catherine McCord as she reflects on a life-changing event just as her life is getting started. Spoiler warning now, this film will send you on an emotional roller coaster from the first frame to the last.
After being diagnosed with a rare heart disease, McCord revives various special moments in her life. It’s evident that she has studied and understands the craft of storytelling and film. She uses simple but effective techniques to enhance her documentary. The first frame is McCord hiking on a cloudy day. Her clever choice of color grading with a grey matted palette and ominous music playing in the background instantly show something wrong. As she continues to hike, the color grading goes from a matte grey palette to a standard color palette, symbolizing positivity or a rebirth of some sort. At this moment, McCord instantly changes the tone and the narrative. As the documentary goes on, McCord intercuts footage of her in the hospital, old home videos, and voice messages from her family perfectly. For example, we see footage of her walking after her surgery with two nurses. She juxtaposed that footage with footage of her learning how to walk as a toddler. The documentary is full of great moments just like that. The sound design was perfect. Instead of overpowering or using it to manipulate the viewer, it just enhances the already compelling scenes.
I enjoyed the documentary, not just the first, second, or third time but the fourth time too. McCord’s love letter to herself, doctors, and loved ones was nothing short of a masterpiece. The story, shots and editing are perfectly crafted and inspiring. I would rate You’re Gonna Be Okay five out of five stars. I cannot wait to see more from this promising artist.
Don’t Miss You’re Going to Be Okay, now screening on Planet Classroom Network.
Justin is a multimedia content producer with a passion for entertainment, news, pop culture, and sports. He has experience as a media professional with a history of working on various movies, television, and commercials in different production roles in the Atlanta, Nashville area
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