In THE BLACK MARKER Alan Hay plays cinema manager Lui Farel, whose run-down establishment depends on one loyal employee, Sean (Oli Palmer), a handful of regulars and some tasty popcorn – which tends to attract more customers than the cinema itself. The growing popularity of film piracy has Lui considering a life behind a popcorn stand; but Sean’s insistence, along with a stranger’s offering from the future, inspire him to reinvent the cinema.

Accompanied by an aptly upbeat string and piano soundtrack composed by Chris Bradley (winner of BAFTA Scotland’s 2013 Award for New Talent for Best Original Music), THE BLACK MARKER combines a charmingly independent style with characters, performances and cinematography reminiscent of the British slapstick comedies of the 70s and 80s. Impressive performances, particularly from Oli Palmer, complement the strange eccentricity of the characters, who include a mysterious man seemingly obsessed with the popcorn and an old lady whose date is a cat. The story, co-created with Samuel Mariani, is narrated by Lui and incorporates fantasy and science fiction into the ordinary and almost kitchen-sink reality of Cambridge and its locations, including Mill Road. The result is a humorous and fascinating, but humbly relatable tale which addresses contemporary issues surrounding the film industry.

THE BLACK MARKER is a student film produced in association with The Independent Film Trust. Whilst presenting a high standard of professionalism, THE BLACK MARKER maintains a charming independent feel. The attention to detail is outstanding, with props including posters, a projector, uniforms and film clips created to a high standard; and genuine locations such as a small screen from Cambridge’s Cineworld. Camila Kater has already begun to establish herself as a talented filmmaker: her short animation, THE APPLE TRIAL (created in partnership with Samuel Mariani) was screened at a festival at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse; and their mini-trailer for the 33rd Cambridge Film Festival was very well received.