In Niall Shukla’s A Doll Distorted, Jane suffers from haphephobia (the pathological fear of touch), tormented by years of loneliness and isolation she orders a synthetic love doll online to nightmarish consequences.
Director Niall Shuka had this to say about his short film:
I wanted to make a story about the horror of loneliness and isolation. The idea of a woman suffering from haphephobia allowed me to explore these ideas, as they are commonly associated with the condition. I was particularly interested in one’s loneliness being caused by an inner conflict within themselves. People who have haphephobia, can simultaneously crave human connection but also be afraid of human touch.
This is partly what leads the protagonist to purchase a Love Doll. The film itself was made in a very independent way. I made A Doll Distorted almost entirely on my own: I was the writer, director, editor, producer, set designer, sound designer, VFX artist, composer, and cinematographer. I had only 1 extra crew member — a lighting assistant. There is also a behind-the-scenes video, if you’re interested in how this short film was created. I am currently developing my first feature film, a sci-fi/horror — which I aim to make next year.
