Christelle Elwin, best known for her role as Mistle in Netflix’s acclaimed fantasy series The Witcher, is set to take center stage in Shapeshifter, an upcoming experimental short film that she also wrote and co-produced. Directed by Harry Richards, whose previous work includes the BFI-selected Santi and acclaimed short film Contact Hours, the ten-minute drama explores the complexities of gender identity and masculine expression, particularly the ways in which religious repression and deeply ingrained societal expectations can influence our relationships with ourselves and those around us. Film Updates can exclusively unveil the first look at the film, which is currently in the final stages of post-production.
Shapeshifter centers on HER (Elwin), a Black, masc-presenting woman in her late twenties who finds herself at something of a crossroads when the prospect of a romantic relationship forces her to confront aspects of herself that she has spent much of her life attempting to suppress. Having grown up in a religious environment surrounded by homophobic family members, HER has developed a complicated relationship with her own sexuality and gender expression, struggling to reconcile the person she has been conditioned to present to the world with the person she actually wants to be.
As she attempts to articulate feelings she has long kept buried, HER finds herself caught between self-love and self-loathing, grappling with the uncomfortable realization that the very behaviors she has adopted to protect herself may also be preventing her from finding the connection and intimacy she so desperately wants.
It’s a deeply personal story for Elwin, who drew from her own experiences with identity when developing the screenplay, hoping to create something that would resonate with audiences who have similarly struggled to understand or accept different aspects of themselves.
“I’m telling this story because I believe it will resonate with anyone struggling with their identity, as I have,” Elwin says. “Highlighting thought processes around gender and sexuality through film can help others feel like they are not alone. Everyone deserves to feel like they matter.”
For Richards, whose previous films have similarly explored questions of identity, belonging and the often complicated dynamics of human relationships, Shapeshifter represents an opportunity to examine the ways in which our perceptions of ourselves can shape how we interact with other people, particularly when it comes to navigating intimacy and romantic relationships.
The filmmaker, who recently co-directed and produced his debut feature YAMAS! alongside Rufus Love, says his collaboration with Elwin began with a shared understanding of the difficulties that can accompany coming to terms with one’s sexuality.
“Christelle and I first connected over shared experiences of grappling with our sexuality – navigating break-ups, relationships and family dynamics,” Richards explains. “Our short film draws out how preconceptions of queerness shape our behaviour, body movement and interactions with others. We are so excited for the world to see it!”
That emphasis on physical expression is a particularly interesting aspect of the project, especially for a film concerned with how people learn to inhabit their bodies and negotiate their identities in the presence of others. Alongside the film’s exploration of sexuality and self-perception, Shapeshifter places particular importance on the ways in which internalized shame and repression can manifest themselves through movement, communication and the power dynamics that emerge within relationships.
The project also marks another step forward for both filmmakers. Elwin, who has appeared across the third and fourth seasons of The Witcher, takes on the responsibilities of writer, lead actor and co-producer, while Richards continues to develop an increasingly varied body of work following Santi, Contact Hours and YAMAS!.
Produced by Clemmie Pollard and Elwin, with Richards and Love serving as executive producers, Shapeshifter features cinematography by Deon van Zyl, production design by Emily Leggett, costume design by Eva Perez and movement direction by Isis Clunie. Laura Zvaríková serves as editor, with an original score by Jack Salzani and sound design by Tom Bosher and Dan Hibbert.
A production of Headrush Films and Transform Film in association with Felix Mater Society, Shapeshifter is currently completing post-production, with further details about its premiere and release yet to be announced.
