2026 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest Winners
Middle School: 2nd Runner-Up: Emma Winters, Bentley School
When I attended the San Francisco Film festival with my school, the film Cindy Undead, by Mariella Gutiérrez, stood out to me. The art style, music, colors, and atmosphere that it created was specifically what caught my eye. As someone who appreciates indie animation, this piece was absolutely remarkable. Many artists in this time are afraid to tell stories with gruesome visuals and harsh realities. Mariella truly understands how animation, music, and storytelling can come together to create a brutal masterpiece. Mariella highlights the cruel reality of stardom within celebrities’ lives, and people in general, to always be perfect in a world of flaws.
I wrote and produced the song titled after the film, “Cindy Undead”,I wrote the chorus to be repetitive within the song to prove how the Hollywood industry shoves marketing down the consumer’s throat. They claim that being perfect is the key to gain success, and they often advertise celebrities as these perfect entities for everyone to aspire to emulate. My song starts out with a few lines including, “Recognized by her lips, hips, and hair, you know her, you love her, Cindy Devereux!!” This quote highlights the unnatural beauty standards of women in everyday life, with these qualities presented to be the standard.
In the first verse, I wrote the line, “stitch her in every groove,” I chose this line to accentuate how famous artists don’t seem to have a say in their appearance. They become a property of their fanbase. Mariella Gutiérrez showed how Cindy was sewn together to make her the idol that she was.
When the reality hits that she isn’t truly who you see on screen, I chose to write the line “See her story unravel,” that also connects to the theme of being stitched. Not only is her sewing failing, but so is her life.
After an idol falls from the spotlight, they are easily replaced by another. In Cindy’s case, Paula Valentine, her supposed “friend” steps in to be the next victim in the revolving door of stardom. I believe the purpose of both the short film and my song are to help others understand the tragic truth of stardom. I aspire for this truth to be understood by the public.
Lyrics of “Cindy Undead” (Not apart of the essay)
Welcome, welcome, listen here folks!
Today we have a special guest joining us, my, isn’t that lovely.
Recognized by her lips, hips, and hair,
you know her, you love her, Cindy Devereux!
Cindy Undead!
The newest idol it’s
Cindy Undead!
The next big thing she is
Cindy Undead!
Perfect in every way
Love her unknowing ways
Gotta plead to make her stay
Come watch her every move stitch her in every groove
You can be her too
Lead the way, photo vixen
Tell us all that you do
Forbidden Flash, camera dash
See her story unwravel
Cindy Undead!
The newest idol it’s
Cindy Undead!
The next big thing she is
Cindy Undead!
Lips, next,
Hips, next,
Hair, next,
Valentine will take her next
Cindy Undead!
Cindy Undead!
The newest idol it’s
Cindy Undead!
The next worst thing it is
Cindy Undead!