WHAT? was filmed in the black-and-white, silent comedy style of Charlie Chaplin but set in modern-day Los Angeles and includes some of the famous Hollywood locations of Chaplin and Buster Keaton’s films. WHAT? tells the story of a Deaf actor, played by John Maucere, who is tired of the disrespect and discrimination he confronts in Hollywood. He decides – through sign language, gestures, and whatever it takes - to take matters into his own… hands.

WHAT? had its World Premiere in 2021 at Dances With Films in Los Angeles and was a big hit with audiences and film festival programmers around the United States and beyond, having played in 24 film festivals across 9 countries, winning 21 awards, including: 4 for Best Picture, 5 for Best Actor, 3 for Best Director, and 3 Audience Awards.

Written, directed, and edited by Alek Lev
Cinematography by Ruan DuPessis and Bus Door Films