The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands (Short Film)

The Story

The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands is a short 20-minute mystery/thriller film around in length. It is adapted from the short story of the same title. The story is set in 1910s London. George, a recent widower drowning his loneliness in drink and cards, and his friends are all set for their usual poker game, however, the night is anything but usual.

A mysterious stranger agrees to play with them but the more time they spend with him, the more questions they have. Why won't he touch anyone? Why is he terrified of human contact? What happened to him during the war? Was the stray dog dying his fault or a coincidence?

What happens if you shake his hand...

The Team

Quincy Shenk

Director/Producer/Writer

Quincy Shenk is a passionate and enthusiastic writer and filmmaker. Having just finished producing a feature film, he is very excited to be looking forward to the next project. Reading has always been a passion of his so the opportunity to adapt an existing work of fiction has been something he has wanted to do for a long time.

A frequent collaborator with his Cinematographer, Aga, the two have worked together on five projects in the past and as a DOP/Director duo three times.

Aga Nawoj

Cinematographer

Aga Nawoj is a London-based cinematographer. Aga’s passion for photography and film motivated her to move from her home country of Poland to London, to study Filmmaking. She is excited to work on The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands and find creative ways of turning the compelling story into reality. She is looking forward to the challenge of creating captivating visuals in a single location. Having just worked with Quincy on a feature film together in which she was in charge of lighting, she is more up to the challenge. Aga is eager to support his vision and create visuals to enhance the story.

Themes

How can a man survive in a world where he is completely alone and outcast from society? The film dives into themes of loneliness, isolation, and the basic need for human connection. It also touches on PTSD and addiction to a smaller degree.

Style

A big fan of the Noir Films from the 1940s, and detective stories, Quincy wants to use that style to tell the story of The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands. The use of sharp shadows, silhouettes, and reflections will enhance the eerie atmosphere of the film. Voiceover and flashback were strong storytelling tools of the style, they will also be embraced.

Finances

Making a film is an expensive undertaking. While my experience and studies in business help equip me to budget efficiently and make sure the funds are being used effectively, every little bit helps. The primary purpose of this fundraiser is to pay for:

Any additional funding that we receive will be used to help promote the film to festivals.

All of the money donated to this fundraiser will be used for the creation of the film.

Final Message

Quincy and Aga are thrilled to be able to cap off their filmmaking education with a project they are both so passionate about. They want to do justice to the source material, make a film people will enjoy watching, and maybe give them a bit more appreciation for the people in their lives who love them. Every little bit helps, thank you for your support.