In a Western society that often shies away from death, Project CC’s creative and bright exploration of grief and impermanence is refreshing. Directed by RespectAbility Entertainment Lab alumna Cashmere Jasmine, this Disney Launchpad short film tells the story of a 12-year-old science genius, Paris, who attempts to clone her best friend CC. Paris does so in fear of rejection from the other kids for her brains and her bigger body.
In the short film, after CC dies of an illness, Paris wastes no time in activating her bedroom closet laboratory to transform CC’s remains into a clone. The experiment goes awry when Paris accidentally clones her dog, Jerome, setting loose dozens of corgis. When Paris and her sister Portia finally wrangle in the corgi clones, they realize that Jerome is missing. In the heartfelt emotional climax of the short, Portia points out to Paris that just like Paris knew that none of the corgi clones were Jerome, a clone of CC wouldn’t be the real CC.
Portia shepherds Paris through the grief of losing her best friend by encouraging Paris to let herself feel the sadness and to lean on Portia. “It’s okay to feel sad,” Portia reassures Paris. Amidst the colorful set and costume design, and the witty quips between sisters that you can’t help but smile at, is a coming-of-age story that tangibly models how to accept loss and sit with your emotions instead of trying to change or control them.
Cashmere Jasmine
Project CC’s director Cashmere Jasmine is an award-winning, first-generation disabled Afro-Caribbean writer and director who describes her specialization as “genre-bending media that revolve around taboos and the complexities of identity.” This certainly comes across in Project CC where science fiction, drama, and hints of comedy converge to explore the often-taboo topic of death and grief.
Watch Project CC on Disney+. Learn more about Cashmere Jasmine on her website: www.cashmerejasmine.com.
