Family, Parkinson’s, and the Power of Resilience in ‘Steady Hands'”

Aidan Kiyashka’s latest film, “Steady Hands,” emerged from a deeply personal place, inspired by the life of a family friend who was a pioneering transplant surgeon confronting Parkinson’s disease. The juxtaposition of a surgeon, reliant on precision and stillness, succumbing to uncontrollable shaking fascinated Kiyashka, who also had a personal connection to the illness through his great-grandfather.

“Steady Hands” an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival, centers around Arthur, a retired and renowned surgeon portrayed by Marek Kiyashka, the director’s grandfather. Arthur grapples with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease while attempting to remove a splinter from his grandson’s finger, a task that forces him to confront the pervasive impact of the illness on his identity.

The production of “Steady Hands” was a labor of love for Aidan Kiyashka, especially considering the unconventional casting choices. The entire cast consisted of his immediate family members, none of whom had prior acting experience.

“My favorite part of the production is wherever I get the right take after hours of work. The last scene in the film where Arthur, the main character, goes inside took forever to film. Because the cast is made up entirely of my immediate family members, who aren’t actors, directing them required a lot of nuance and reshoots. Finally getting a take I’m happy with is a great feeling, but then of course you still have to take a couple more after.”

The director acknowledged the difficulties of working with non-professional actors, emphasizing the need for patience and nuance in directing. Kiyashka employed various techniques, from in-depth discussions about character motivations to capturing genuine reactions from family members to ensure authentic performances.

“Firstly, we thoroughly discussed the motivations and emotions of the characters, trying to make the film less about reading the script and more about understanding the script. On the other hand, there were moments when I asked one of my family members how they would react to a certain event in their life, hoping the reaction would be similar to what I was looking for with the character, and filmed that. I believe we did this daily successfully.” 

The most challenging aspect of production, as Kiyashka admitted, was working with his family. Despite their lack of experience, the director expressed gratitude for their support. The need for reshoots and nuanced direction to capture the right moments added complexity to the filmmaking process.

Reflecting on the journey, Kiyashka revealed that the final cut of “Steady Hands” differed from the original version. He recognized the importance of pacing and trimmed down a prolonged argument scene to maintain viewer engagement. Additionally, he acknowledged the need for improvements in lighting in certain scenes, addressing issues such as unwanted shadows and insufficient light on subjects.

For aspiring filmmakers, Kiyashka offered valuable advice, emphasizing the wealth of knowledge available on the internet, particularly through platforms like YouTube. He shared that his filmmaking education largely came from free online resources, cautioning newcomers to verify the credibility of the information.

As for future projects, Kiyashka invited audiences to explore his Instagram @aidan.kiy, IMDb profile, and personal website (www.aidankiyashka.com) for updates on upcoming endeavors. With “Steady Hands” officials selected at the Utah International Film Festival, the director and his family look forward to sharing more compelling stories with audiences in the future.