The Smiling Man

The Smiling Man is a 2007 mystery film produced and directed by San Francisco based artist B.J. West.
Plot
Private detective Nick Chambers is approached by a man named Derek Halcyon, who wants to hire Nick to find someone for him. Unfortunately, the only lead the client can offer is a single photo of himself with the man he is looking for, and is unable to provide even the man's name. Confused, Nick attempts to refuse the job, insisting that without more than such a feeble clue to work with, his only recourse would be to wander the city at random, showing the photo to everyone he meets and asking if anyone knows who it is. Halcyon presses Nick to accept the job, offering him a considerable amount of money, far beyond Nick's usual fee. Stunned, Nick reluctantly gives in and accepts the job, but with a caveat that he will search for the man for 24 hours, and no more. After that, the job is completed, whether he finds the man or not. Halcyon accepts his terms, wishes him good hunting, and leaves to await Nick's call.
Nick is good to his word, and spends the day attempting to track his prey. As he interviews anyone he can think of, Nick begins to pick up threads that could lead to the man's identity, as well as his connection to Nick's past.
Production
The Smiling Man is based on a short story of the same title written by Keoni Chavez, first published in the anthology Fog City Nocturne. The screenplay was adapted by B.J. West.
The film was produced on a budget of $8,000, and shot on miniDV. Shooting took place in numerous locations within the city limits of San Francisco, including landmarks seen or referenced in several film noir classics, such as 1360 Montgomery St. (featured in ), and the corner of Bush St. and Burrett Alley (cited as the place that Brigid O'Shaugnessy killed Miles Archer in The Maltese Falcon).
Release
The Smiling Man was first screened for the public on August 7th, 2007, at a DVD release event held at a Mission St. club called 12 Galaxies. (now closed), and is distributed exclusively through the official website.
The film was an official selection in the 3rd Annual Anderson Valley Film Festival in 2009.
The Bay Area Filmmaker's Podcast featured The Smiling Man in an hour long interview with Director B.J. West, Asst. Director Bryan Tolin and star Chris Hudak.
Kevin Burton Smith, editor of Thrilling Detective.com called the film "Short on thrills, but long on mood, it's an engaging little headscratcher. It wouldn't have been out of place on an old episode of The Twilight Zone or maybe Alfred Hitchcock."
The Smiling Man was mentioned twice on VH1's Game Break website, due to star Chris Hudak's reputation as a computer games journalist.,

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