Interference

2016, 23 minutes

A twisting thriller of two worthy and misguided protesters who conspire to carry out an extreme act of protest while inadvertently broadcasting their plans to an audience of unsuspecting listeners.

Two young anarchists, Tom and Katya, meet and fall in love physically and ideologically at the 2012 London Occupy Protest. Disillusioned by what they see as inactivity and hypocrisy in their fellow protestors they forge a pact to make a ‘real’ difference, whatever the cost. Through pride and stubbornness mixed up in a whirlwind of shared emotions they propel each other towards an act of pointless violence. Separated by geography, united by common purpose they use Katya’s dads old amateur radio sets for communication in order to evade the authorities. Meeting on air every night at midnight they plan the murder of Mackenzie, the new head of economics at Oxford University, and ex-Goldman Sachs CEO during the global banking crisis. His new role as educator of the worlds future financial leaders is objectionable to the point of murder for Katya. Tom realizes that his infatuation with Katya has blinded him to the reality of the situation he finds himself in. He has a daughter, just like Mackenzie, he can’t go through with it. Unbeknown to himself Tom has set up his radio incorrectly meaning both their voices are being broadcast on Toms local late night radio station. As their dramatic planning progresses their unintended audience revels in the deeply personal nature of this new unfolding ‘radio drama’; unfortunately, for Tom and Katya so do the police. Katya both smarter and more determined; she realizes they are under police surveillance but chooses not to confide in Tom. Her love has gone cold and his commitment is evidently wavering; she decides to use him as distraction. Katya convinces Tom to commit to murder by promising him her love a a shared future. Tom is finally arrested outside Mackenzie family home but Katya has not shown up. Unimpressed by the shambling figure of Tom, Mackenzie decides to attend his inauguration ceremony in Oxford irrespective of the ongoing risk. The police are reluctant but he insists so as he cycles from his rural home to the train station he is followed by plain clothes officers in their unmarked car. As he turns a bend in the road Katya slams her borrowed car head on into Mackenzie killing him instantly. She sits behind the wheel too shocked to respond to the police officers demand to unlock the door. The officer smashes the window into her tear stained face before dragging her from the vehicle. Both Tom and Katya undergo prolonged interrogation as the police try to police try to understand the motivations and forces that propelled them to commit this an act of atrocity.

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