The Sacramento Film & Music Festival pre-screened Paper Heart Friday evening.

Paper Heart was co-written by actress Charlene Yi and Nick Jasenovec, and directed by Nick Jasenovec.

The film opens with Yi holding a microphone shyly in the middle of the Las Vegas strip, asking the question, “Does anyone really love?”

A love-skeptic, she embarks on a cross-country tour to gain perspective on love from couples, divorce lawyers and children at a playground.

Her findings are recorded in a way that combines faux-documentary filming and traditional storytelling, only part of which is scripted. Some of the storytelling is done through sequences of puppetry reminiscent of Science of Sleep.

The style of filming creates a transparency to the whole production. The viewer is able to see camera equipment, brainstorming ideas for subsequent scenes and dialogue from the actors that include lingo like “deleted scenes,” commenting on the editing process.

Yi takes a scientific journey as well, speaking to academics in a Discovery Channel fashion, to gain perspective on the physiology of love.

She is a lovable character and brings a refreshing charm to the film, one that captures Michael Cera’s attention.

Cera, who starred in Superbad, is infatuated by Yi and he begins a clumsy courtship with her, one that becomes the focus of the film.

Although the actors play themselves in this quasi-documentary, they are not romantically linked. "We're not dating. No. I swear...Never," she said in an interview with CBC news.

Paper Heart follows their budding romance as Yi continues on her search for the meaning of love.

Actor and comedian friends give Yi advice, but does she find it in herself to believe in love?

If you are a fan of quirky romantic comedies and awkward young-adult charm, then watch this film to find out.

The film is to release in theaters on Aug. 14.

For more information, click the following links:
Paper Hearts official movie site
Sacramento Film & Music Festival