Hands

About This Movie

So, 'Hands' is this fascinating little piece from 1934 that's really a visual meditation on labor and creativity. It’s not just a commercial for the Works Progress Administration; it's almost like a short poem about human effort. The close-ups of hands doing everything from whittling to playing a violin create a rhythm that’s almost mesmerizing. You get this sense of community and industriousness, which was so important during the Great Depression. The way it’s shot—those practical effects, the intimacy of the hands—really pulls you in and gives life to the actions. It’s understated but leaves quite an impression.

'Hands' is quite rare in collector circles, often sought after for its unique portrayal of manual labor during a pivotal time in American history. It has seen limited releases over the years, primarily in archival film collections. The absence of a credited director adds an air of mystery, but that only heightens interest among collectors who appreciate its conceptual weight. Expect to find it in specialized collections focused on Depression-era cinema or WPA-related works.