The Intimate Touch

The Intimate Touch is a short film, written and directed by Michael Støen and Ariel McMillion. Between 2020 and 2021 the film screened at festivals across the world, winning several awards in categories such as best short script, best actor, and audience choice. The Intimate Touch was perhaps most notably awarded Second Runner Up in the international competition at the Oscar qualifying Bengaluru Short Film Festival, and was named best short of 2021 by the online film magazine TheMovieBuff.net.

David, Kristofer Kamiyasu

Moa, Julia Sporre

Alter ego, Stephen Rappaport

Valter, Soren Karlsson

Coworker, Vincent Grahl

Kalle, Spiderman

Additional voice for Valter, Sixten Lundin

Writer / Director / Producer, Michael Støen

Co-producer / Production manager, Joakim S. Hammond

Cinematographer, Fredrik Sellergren

Editing, Patrik Forsell (SFK), Michael Støen

Composer, Oscar W. Küsel

Production designer, Louise Drake

Gaffer, Carl Olsson

Sound design and mix, Henric Andersson (Enric)

Production sound, Anders Ekdahl

Color grading, Fabian Tellmark

Makeup, Ida Tuovinen

SFX makeup, Märta Gasslander

B-camera, Erik Landerdahl, Joel Hong

C-camera / Grip, Zi Kärnfelt

Location scout, Gabriel Manrique

Stunt coordinator, Hillamari Engström

Special props, Niklas Hermansson (FIXAS)

Production company, Filmago

With support from, Film Göteborg

Directors

Michael Støen & Ariel McMillion

Producers

Malla Grapengiensser & Johan Sellström

Cinematographer

Sara Svärdsén

Screenwriters

Michael Støen & Ariel McMillion

PREVIOUS WORK BY STØEN

At a seaside restaurant, a conservative Muslim refugee meets a deeply feminist reporter for dinner. Officially, he’s a source, and this is business. But what’s really on their minds is the intense attraction they felt last week when they first met, despite a clash over his religious refusal to shake her hand. Tonight is a chance to pursue that attraction, if only they can navigate their convictions.

“A film that doesn’t ask us to accept or understand, but to feel."
Mark Ziobro
‍The Movie Buff

"A film that commands your attention"
Daniel Hess
ToTony Productions