Meet the Critic: Cortlyn Kelly
In the Chicago Critics Film Festival’s new “Meet the Critic” series, we’re introducing our readers to some of the many talented members of our Chicago-area print, online and broadcast critics group, which celebrates the art of film and film criticism.
In today’s feature, meet Cortlyn Kelly, a film and culture critic, personal essayist, art appreciator, avid baseball fan, and forever student. Since the first grade, her approach to all endeavors is: “There is so much to learn.”
With this mindset, Cortlyn is continuously making connections across all artistic and cultural mediums with the aim of producing a deepened understanding of creative interdependence. Accessibility and archival practices are also key components to her development as a critic and programmer.
When she’s not watching, writing, or articulating about movies, she serves as a co-host of Kaveh & CK’s Screening Room, sits as the Co-Chair for the Black Harvest Film Festival Community Council, sometimes teaches, goes for walks around Chicago, and giggles with her friends and family.
Read her answers to our inaugural Meet the Critic Q&A below.
How has being based in Chicago informed your criticism?
Chicago’s accessibility for supporting the creative sector, particularly within the cinematic arts, fuels me with endless inspiration. Writing from this sweet home has taught me how to coexist, co-create, and contribute to the welcoming, existing critic and film community while also being provided with space and opportunities to carve out my own unique path.
What’s a title from our line-up that you’re excited for people to see? (or a title that the festival has programmed in the past that you’ve loved)
For this year’s festival, I am eager to see 40 Acres and Sorry, Baby. From years previous, the sold-out showing of Past Lives will always be significant to me.
What’s a piece that you’ve written that you’re most proud of and why?
Recently, I’ve been nailing my heart to my sleeve for all to read. The Lover’s Issue of my newsletter or my RogerEbert.com Women Writers’ Week essay, Will I Ever Take My Kids to the Movies?, are two pieces that spotlight the personalized power of movies and our connection to them.
Read Cortlyn’s work at The Art Idiot, her newsletter, and follow her at @coolkidcort on all platforms.