Céline Roustan
Teenage angst, relationship drama, social media… how can Sama’s dad keep up with all the chaos in her life? Over the course of one Friday night, he will – unbeknownst to him – help her navigate her latest emotional turmoil. S/W alum Karina Dandashi (Dress Up) is back on the site with her latest short film, Baba I’m Fine, a slice-of-life short that surprises with its warmth and punk energy.
Before Baba I’m Fine, there was Out of Water, a feature screenplay Dandashi wrote while attending the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab in 2023. Before moving forward with the feature, she wanted to create a short that would “capture the father/daughter dynamic, themes, and style of the eventual feature” – a proof of concept that would also stand on its own narratively. She also explained that she wanted to shoot in her hometown of Pittsburgh, as most of her previous work had been set in NYC.
“Arab men are dehumanized and seen as perpetrators of violence in the media, I was inspired to write about an Arab man in my real life, my Baba”
It came as no surprise when Dandashi shared with us that she was inspired by her “own coming-of-age as a third culture kid and (her) relationship with (her) Syrian immigrant father,” given the energy and genuine tenderness present throughout the screenplay. One thing that particularly struck me was the way she wrote the father character. Not only is this a relationship we rarely see on screen, but, as she explains, “at times when Arab men are dehumanized and seen as perpetrators of violence in the media, I was inspired to write about an Arab man in my real life, my Baba”. This “silly girl dad”, as she calls him, grounds the film emotionally, creating an effective contrast with its campier elements.
The film also has an undeniable youthful energy that Dandashi approaches with both affection and humor. She immerses us fully in Sama’s perspective, committing to the drama of being a teenager through a campy approach that uses elements of the musical genre. Who hasn’t connected to a song so deeply that, while singing along, it feels like you’re inside the music video? This approach allows the protagonist to avoid the cliché of the first-generation immigrant narrative and instead exist as a regular teen, going through a very universal coming-of-age moment.
Hibah Abdellatif stars as Sama in Karina Dandashi’s Babe, I’m Fine.
Hibah Abdellatif, as Sama, brings all the explosive energy of the screenplay to the screen by making her character simultaneously compelling and absurd, just like a lot of teenagers can be. Even with the musical moments, she makes her character feel real. That said, it is Aladeen Tawfeek’s (Simo) performance that has stayed with me most. With only a few lines, he portrays his character’s deep love for his daughter with so much sensitivity, understanding, and genuine love, it forms the anchor for the film’s emotional core.
Ahead of its online debut on S/W, Baba I’m Fine hit the festival circuit with a World Premiere at the 2025 edition of SXSW followed, by selections at Palm Springs ShortFest and a Special Jury Mention at Newfest. Dandashi is currently working on a feature based on her previous short film Cousins.