Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape
Written and Directed by Kati Kelli
Starring Kati Kelli
Runtime 79 minutes
Premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 23rd

by Tori Potenza, Staff Writer

When I was deciding what films I wanted to see at Fantastic Fest this year I was immediately drawn to Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape. I had no idea what to expect from the description but when I realized that director Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw the TV Glow, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair) was involved I knew it was something I had to see. What I got was one of the strangest, funniest, and heartbreaking viewing experiences I have ever had. Through this collection of internet videos I was introduced to Kati Kelli, a young woman I felt an instant affinity for and whose untimely death now haunts me as I mourn the art she will never create.

Kati Kelli was a video artist who spent years making videos in her bedroom. These subversive videos run the gambit of satirical depictions of celebrity culture, reflections on beauty culture, the experience of being a woman, and Tim Robinson-esque comedy sketches that are completely surreal to watch. Kati died in 2019 shortly after finishing her first short film. Her widower, Jordan Whipple and filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun curated this collection of videos which highlight Kelli’s unique sense of humor. It all culminates with her short film Total Body Removal Surgery.

In a time when Tik Tok, rapid cut, comedy shorts seem to be the way of the future, Kati felt like a refreshing reprieve. Some of her videos last much longer than you would think but it all seems expertly crafted and designed to bring about continuous laughs and point to the absurdity of the story. While there are certain videos that may align with a style or creator, there is something completely unique and so perfectly Kati about all of it. My friend and I were continuously weeping from laughing so hard and, similar to the experience of watching a Schoenbrun film, felt so seen. The ludicrousness of day to day life, the strange experience of having a body, and the ridiculous nature of pop culture and social media are all there even when not explicitly mentioned. One video of Kati dancing with a wine glass in her hand and another with her wiping away makeup while crying have little to no words yet still speak volumes.

As the film moved from her videos and transitioned to her first short film I immediately felt the tears from laughing start to turn into tears of sadness. Her short film, another incredible and seemingly no-budget feat, was a perfectly hilarious yet Cronenbergian short about our relationships to our bodies. While it was hilarious and perfect, I could not stop crying and I reflected on what a loss she was to this world. So much beautiful and unique potential just gone, and all of the thoughts of what she could have created after this hit me like a ton of bricks. After arriving home from the festival, exhausted, all I could do was lay on the couch and watch Kati’s Youtube channel to try and consume as much of her art as I could.

During the Q&A Jordan Whipple mentioned how hard it is to get this programmed, and it is easy to see why. It is not really a feature and not really a documentary so it is difficult to advertise, just like Kati and her humor is hard to explain. But it feels so important that more people get to experience this, and learn about this hilarious and endlessly talented human. So if you are reading this please get the word out there. Contact local theaters and find ways to screen it. In the absurdity that is life in the present day Kati Kelli feels like the perfect person to spend time with and laugh with. Kati is for the weird girls, Kati is for those that love bizarre outsider art, Kati is for those looking for something creatively refreshing.

Check out the trailer to Girl Internet Show here, find Kati Kelli’s YouTube page here and instagram here.