Priska Mohunsingh's "Nobody Knows Him" Pitch Deck

Haunted by prophetic dreams, Cecil falls for the woman of his dreams, only to face betrayal. Years later, as a struggling history professor, he must unravel his ominous students' secrets to prevent a dark vision from becoming reality.

1. NOBODY KNOWS HIM A Screenplay by Priska Mohunsingh

2. Introduction Nobody Knows Him is an indie film. Set partially in Manhattan, New York City and mostly in Upstate New York in the year 1924. Initially inspired by the writer’s precognitive dreams and John Keating’s (Robin Williams) inspiring presence in Dead Poet’s Society, 1989 . Cecil Beckett, 35, is haunted by prophetic dreams since the age of 8. He eventually falls in love with the woman of his dreams, only to watch his nightmare of betrayal come true. Years later, as a struggling history professor with a gifted yet ominous class, Cecil desires to unravel the secret of an anonymous student who begins to appear in his dreams—as an aspiring fascist leader. Nobody Knows Him follows Cecil’s maze of paranoia and historical clues. It is a psychological thriller that weaves a tapestry of suspense, mysticism, and academic intrigue, asking the question: can we ever truly escape the fate we foresee?

3. Setting the Scene Cecil grew up in Upstate New York (1889-1907). He then moved to Manhattan, NY for university (1907-1911). Drowning in his alcoholism and depression, he stays put in the apartment he shared with Amelia (his now ex-lover) for 3 years after their 10-year marriage. In 1924, Aamir brings Cecil Upstate to teach high school history. Setting : Most of the film takes place in a small classroom in a public high school. Context : Inspired by precognitive dreams and fascist leaders in history (i.e., Hirohito of Imperial Japan, Benito Mussolini of Fascist Italy, and Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany). Discovery : Cecil’s dreams aren’t like those average ones. He dreams of an injury he’ll get in 5 years or so. He’ll dream of eating daal chawal at Aamir’s house one night. And sometimes, he’ll dream about his dead mother begging him for forgiveness. It all seems so trivial, until they start coming true.

4. Story Opening Scene: The film opens with Cecil, 8, waking up terrified on his bunk bed in the middle of the night. He cautiously walks over to the window and is surprised to see nothing. Inciting Incident: Cecil, 35, is on the brink of alcoholism after his divorce. He is visited by his friend Aamir in Manhattan. He offers him a history teacher gig at his workplace in an Upstate high school; he takes it. Rising Action: A dream about one of his students pursuing the route of becoming a fascist leader makes him start teaching more about the cons of past fascist leaders in history. Alcohol replaces morning coffee; he starts being abusive towards his students, forcing them to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. Climax: Cecil strategizes how to find out which student it is. He grows more paranoid and creates an assignment. Emilia, his ex-wife, visits him and reveals things that make him believe his dreams may not be prophetic. Falling Action: Cecil decides to work on himself and start a fresh, new chapter. He still gives out the assignment to the class before announcing it’s his last day. Closing Scene: Each of his students shake his hand before exiting the class. One student doesn’t and asks him a question that leaves him pondering during his commute back to Manhattan for good.

5. Tone and Style Tone: The narrative is built around the tension of prophetic dreams and the unfolding mystery of betrayal and dark visions. Cecil's journey is deeply personal, exploring themes of love, trust, and the impact of betrayal on his psyche and life choices. The story's atmosphere is shadowed by ominous undertones, reflecting Cecil’s internal and external struggles against impending doom. Style: Psychological Thriller: Delves into the complexities of the human mind, emphasizing Cecil’s prophetic dreams and the psychological impact on his life. Character-Driven: Focused on Cecil’s emotional and psychological journey, the narrative is intimate and detailed, providing deep insights into his thoughts and motivations. Mystery Elements: The plot is woven with layers of secrets and revelations, encouraging the audience to piece together clues alongside Cecil. Cinematic Visuals: Rich descriptions enhance the atmosphere, bringing prophetic dreams and the eerie classroom setting to life with a hauntingly vivid visual style .

6. The Protagonist: CECIL BECKETT CECIL BECKETT, 35 , male is a passionate, and brilliant intellectual—often described as a jack of all trades, master of none. Growing up in an orphanage after suffering from an abusive mother, Cecil struggles to make friends outside of the two he grew up with, Aamir and Harold. With no clear direction in life and dreams so vivid he can feel them, he starts documenting them, knowing he only retains them for 48 hours. Cecil’s a lover boy; fully aware love can destroy him because he’s never felt it before. He never knew he could love anything other than history, until he falls for fiery Emilia.

7. The EX-WIFE: EMILIA EMILIA MATHEWS, 32 , female is a photographer. She met Cecil during her undergraduate education in Manhattan. She was friends with him for 2 years before they began a relationship and eventually got married young. She knows about Cecil’s dreams through his tracker journal. His dreams begin to pose as an issue in their marriage as he begins to become anxious that she will cheat on his anytime soon. Emilia grows tired of the constant suspicion and decides to end their marriage.

8. SUPPORTING Characters Aamir: Cecil’s childhood best friend; he helps him get a job at his workplace. Harold: Cecil’s childhood friend, who was killed in an accident – which brings Aamir and Cecil closer. Marianne: Cecil’s mother, who doesn’t appear much since she abandoned him at the age of 7. Students: Class of 12 students (men and women). Nancy: A hard-working student in class who comes from poverty. Jose: A cocky student with a passion for history. He comes from wealth. Milo : A quiet, respectful student who seems to be hiding a secret. Samantha: A loud, and seemingly rude student but tends to be secretly kind to others.

9. How and Why? Nobody Knows Him is a creation from a dream of mine (I guess this qualifies as a prophetic dream as well). I describe myself as an avid history enthusiast who is always questioning the psychology behind people’s actions throughout history. This story is built for the indie film marketplace because it aims to deliver a diverse storytelling style that amalgamates elements from different genres. Drawing from the surreal nature of my dream, the narrative delves deep into the complexities of human behavior and motivations. It explores the intricacies of identity and anonymity in a world where everyone is trying to be someone. Cecil’s journey reflects our own struggles with recognition and obscurity, weaving historical influences with contemporary themes. It incorporates elements of drama, mystery, and psychological thriller, ensuring that the audience is engaged on multiple levels. The historical context provides a rich backdrop, allowing viewers to explore different eras and their societal norms, while the psychological aspect invites them to ponder the internal conflicts that drive human behavior.

10. WHY INDIE? The indie film marketplace is the perfect platform for this story because it embraces innovative and unconventional narratives. Nobody Knows Him aims to captivate indie film enthusiasts who appreciate films that challenge the status quo and offer fresh perspectives. The film's diverse storytelling style aims to not only entertain, but also encourage viewers to reflect on their own lives and the hidden facets of their personalities.