SHAKE OFF Directed By Hans Beenhakker

Shane: Tell us about your film SHAKE OFF.

Hans: In one continuous shot the camera follows an exceptional dancer as he moves magically through different

times and spaces. The athleticism and bold surprises lure the viewer into a dynamic world which teeters between

the impossible and the real.

S: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

H: Film makes it possible to repeat a dance each time with different underlying music and moreover different surroundings.

By disguising the only ‘cut’, it will be possible to repeat this one solo to be encountered differently each time. I am not

able to do this as dancer on a live stage.

I wanted to make a film where the main character is a dancer, without suggesting anything else.

The aim is just to show amazing dance through a sober and clear performance. There is dancing just to show dance, without

specific narrative intent. At the same time I engaged the technical possibilities of film in order that the viewer can interpret the

convincing dance on several ways. I hope to achieve three different dances will be seen although it is truly one.

S: Was this a school project?

H: NO

S: How did you find your cast? 

H: I SAW PRINCE CREDELL ON STAGE IN NYC.  I WAS OVERWHELMED BY HIS PERFORMANCE. I KNEW RIGHT AWAY

HE WAS THE ONE TO PLAY THE PART. SO I WENT BACKSTAGE TO OFFER HIM THE PART

S: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

H: 1 YEAR

S: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

H: WHEN THE DANCER WAS DANCING THE CLONES. A CAMERA LENS WORKS DIFFERENT THEN YOUR EYE THUS

THE REHEARSED CHOREOGRAPHY HAD TO BE ALTERED ON THE SET. VERY CONFUSING FOR THE DANCER MIDST

ALL THE TIME PRESSURE COMING WITH A SHOOT.

S: (If not a premiere)Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

H: 15 FESTIVALS SO FAR AND THE FILM IS BOUGHT BY 7 DIFFERENT BROADCASTERS WORLDWIDE! And an award.

I am very grateful and happy for the dancer and crew that their hard work is recognized.

S: (If not a premiere) What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

H: THEY WERE ALL INTERESTING. MY FAVOURITE QUESTION IS WHEN THEY ASK ME AT WHICH ROOFTOP DID I SHOOT

IN NYC? (IT WAS SHOT ALL IN THE AMSTERDAM STUDIO)

S: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

 H: PEDRO ALMALDOVAR, GUS VAN SANT, CONE BROTHERS, ACTUALLY A LONG LIST BUT THEY COME TO MIND FIRST.

S: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

H: AFTER MY DANCE CAREER I STILL WANTED TO MAKE IMAGES. FILM IS MOVING IMAGES JUST LIKE DANCE.

S: What is next for you? 

H: CHOREOGRAPHING FOR A NEW TELEVISION SERIES, AND COLLABORATING WITH PETER GREENAWAY ON HIS NEW FEATURE.

S: What is next for the film?

H: 16TH FILM FESTIVAL ARCIPELAGO IN ROME, ITALY

S: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

H: JUST DO IT! FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION…YOU HAVE TO MAKE MILEAGE…..