‘Dream come true’ as Preston-based film Reputation secures screening at local cinema

Martin Law, Kyle Rowe and James Nelson-Joyce behind the scenes of Reputation

A Preston director has said it’s a ‘dream come true’ that his film will be shown at a local cinema.

Martin Law is behind low-budget feature film Reputation, a gritty drama based in the Ribble Valley, which will be screened at The Flower Bowl next Tuesday (18 March).

Martin had previously revealed to Blog Preston the challenges involved in getting his film into cinemas.

After The Flower Bowl’s cinema manager saw the story via our newsletter, they got in touch with Martin to arrange the screening.

Screen spotlight: What’s on in Preston cinemas 7 to 13 March

Speaking to Blog Preston, Martin said: “I’m delighted for the film to have a local screening. It’s a proudly Northern film, so to be able to share it with a Northern audience is truly great. I’m born and bred in Preston, so for a Preston cinema to screen the film is a dream come true.

“Personally, I love gritty dramas. And that’s what Reputation is. I’m a big fan of filmmaker Shane Meadows, and his work definitely influenced the film. I’d rather watch Dead Man’s Shoes and This is England over a superhero film any day of the week.

“I prefer films about actual people. About real life. And I’m sure a lot of other people do too, so hopefully they’ll come and support the film.”

Still from Reputation of characters Zoe, Tommy and Grayson

Reputation premiered at the Spirit of Independence Film Festival in Sheffield and has received strong reviews from critics. Britflicks gave it five stars and said the film “leaps off the screen and hits you in the chest!”

The lead actor, James Nelson-Joyce, co-stars in the brand new Stephen Graham TV show, A Thousand Blows on Disney+, and the latest Andrea Arnold film, Bird (MUBI). He will also be leading a new BBC drama opposite Sean Bean called This City Is Ours, set for release in the spring.

Martin added: “The Flower Bowl have agreed to sell tickets at a reduced rate. I’m really grateful for that, because I want the screening to be as accessible for people as possible. And who knows? If the screening sells out, they might want to screen the film a few more times.”

Reputation is on at The Flower Bowl on Tuesday 18 March at 7.30pm. Priced at the reduced rate of £7, tickets are available from the cinema’s website.

Watch: Reputation trailer on YouTube

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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.