Rustbucket delves into the feeling of hopelessness and monotony that often accompanies low-wage jobs, where individuals are trapped in a cycle of work with little reward.

The film follows Tyler, an aspiring musician and delivery truck driver, whose truck breaks down in the woods on one of his routes. Cold, alone and frustrated, he ventures deep into the woods to look for help and stumbles across an empty house where he is able to charge his phone to call for help. 

Tyler uses the bathroom in the house and inside are mysterious streaks of blood and grime on the shower and walls, and upon returning to the living room, we find the home's owner has come back and is furious at Tyler's intrusion...

Tyler’s adventure serves as a spark for change, prompting him to reevaluate his life and seek something better. This unexpected journey becomes a catalyst for self-discovery, set against a backdrop of absurdity and surrealism.

INSPIRATION 

Inspired by dark comedy series like Atlanta, Barry and The end of the F***ing world, as well as Fargo (1996), the film’s goal is to capture the disturbance of ‘the normal’ in our day to day lives when the unexpected
strikes. It will feel ridiculous with a heightened version of reality and comedic visuals.

Director - Ibrahim K. Muhammad 

Ibrahim K. Muhammad is a British-Caribbean filmmaker, celebrated for his distinct visual style and compelling storytelling. Best known for his award-winning short films SHEEP (2019), Only Child (2022) and Doubledown (2023), Ibrahim has earned critical recognition for his ability to merge stunning cinematography with deeply emotional narratives. His films explore themes of human connection, self-determination, and the beauty found in everyday life, often focusing on characters who grapple with personal growth and the complexities of their inner worlds, resonating with diverse audiences.

Producer - Zara Trott 

Zara Trott is a short film producer based in London. In 2023, her short film Pul By Rind won ‘Best Cinematography’ at the Royal Television Society Awards and gained recognition at the London Lift-Off Film Festival as a ‘Trendsetter Nominee’ (2022). Zara’s most recent finished film, Salt Line, starring Sean Delaney (Killing Eve) and Adam Ali (Babba) is currently undergoing its festival circuit being recognised at the BAFTA qualifying Flicker Rhode Island Film Festival. After attending Westminster Film School Zara went on to work in the film industry on various projects including Sky’s Mary and George  and Blue Print Pictures’ Wicked Little Letters. 

“Rustbucket draws inspiration from my own personal experiences working in hospitality and encountering many disgruntled and ridiculous colleagues and customers. 

Tyler’s journey through the woods is also a metaphor for his journey into himself: His truck breaking down is himself breaking down, his journey into the woods is him finding out what it is he really wants, the altercation with the home owner is him coming face to face with his own nature and his journey out of the woods is him coming back to reality as a changed man who must now burn his past to move on into the future.

I want Rustbucket to be an exaggerated but relatable slice of life. Through Tyler’s eyes, audiences will experience a world where the ordinary can quickly turn into the extraordinary, capturing life’s unpredictable nature and the potential for adventure hidden in the most unlikely places.”

WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING? 

We are hoping to make this film in 2025 and raising money  would help tremendously with the cost of all production stages as well as hiring equipment. The film would make full use of the £3,000 we are trying to raise and it would be a massive help for buying costumes, renting locations and also paying actors. The hope is to get a big named actor on board to help the film's publicity and reach as well as it's watchability and the performances of the film's cast alongside it's direction and style.