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Preston director on ‘long slog’ to get Ribble Valley-based film shown in cinemas across UK

Posted on - 15th December, 2024 - 6:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Arts & Culture, People, Preston News, Ribble Valley News
Still from Reputation of characters Zoe, Tommy and Grayson
Still from Reputation of characters Zoe, Tommy and Grayson

A Preston director has spoken about the ‘long slog’ to get his film shown in more cinemas across the UK.

Martin Law is behind low-budget feature filmĀ Reputation, which premiered at the Spirit of Independence Film Festival in Sheffield at the end of September.

A psychological crime drama set in the fictional northern town of Dennings, in the beautifully scenic Ribble Valley, Reputation is described as raw, violent and darkly comic.

It starsĀ James Nelson-Joyce, a rising Liverpudlian actor who will beĀ leading a new BBC drama with Sean Bean in 2025.

Read more: Preston first in world to host important exhibition of award-winning illustrations

The film has receivedĀ strong reviews, with one critic describing it as “damn impressive” and another saying it “leaps off the screen and hits you in the chest.”

You can watch the trailer below or on YouTube.

While Leigh Film Factory recently hosted two screenings of Reputation, Martin is still working towards a wider release of the film in the future.

Martin Law is the director of Reputation
Martin Law is the director of Reputation

Martin told Blog Preston: “The film has been submitted to multiple international festivals and I’m trying to find a distributor for the film by contacting companies directly. It’s all a long slog.

“I thought the filming process would be the most difficult aspect of making an indie film, but it turns out that it’s everything that comes after.

“I want the film out there in the world, which is why I organised the Leigh Film Factory screenings. I’m really grateful that they supported a totally independent film like this.

“I contacted both Odeon and Vue in Preston, but they tend to just screen blockbusters. Hopefully the film will be picked up by a distributor in the near future and will be shown in more cinemas across the UK.”

Read more:Ā New gathering to connect and empower African, Black and Afrodescendant women in Preston

Speaking about film, Martin said: “I know it won’t be for everyone, but I believe that audiences are bored of superhero movies and are crying out for something grittier.

“If you’re a fan of Shane Meadows, I think this will be right up your street.”

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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.

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