Nick Helm: The Killing Machine (2018)

A mismatched buddy comedy about self-improvement, finding friendship in your 30s and downsizing your dreams. Mysterious happy-go-lucky human car crash Sam Miller (37) turns up at the boxing gym one day with a simple goal: "I want to be a killing machine". Personal trainer and down-on-his-luck former boxing champ Donny Day (28) takes one look at him and wonders if Sam will last a single session. Donny soon discovers Sam has an impressive tolerance for humiliation, pain, and defeat. Donny throws everything at him and Sam keeps on coming back. He can't quite work him out. Sam's inability to complete the simplest of challenges never dampens his spirits, and although he doesn't look the best advert for Donny's skills as a personal trainer, Donny soon doesn't care. Aled, a narcissistic rival trainer, taunts Sam ('another weekend warrior!') and tries to goad Donny back into the ring. Donny rises above it, but Sam, in a split second of hubris, steps up to the plate: 'I'll fight you.' It's a watershed moment that might have come too soon. He can't be ready. Aled will kill him. Against all odds, could spirit alone save Sam from certain defeat? Or will he get utterly pummelled? A short film that sees Raging Bull and Rocky filtered through Wes Anderson, The Killing Machine is a comedy-drama about boxing, friendship and finding happiness in unexpected places. Sometimes it's not about being the best, but about being happy with bronze.