NOIR CITY 8—THE ENDLESS NIGHT: A VALENTINE TO FILM NOIR by Serena Bramble

Muller discovered Serena Bramble's Endless Night: A Valentine to Film Noir on YouTube and decided it was the best visceral distillation of film noir he'd ever seen in his life. He was happy about finding it because it restored his faith in the younger generation. He wanted to use it as an introductory trailer to each double-bill at this year's Noir City and—in lieu of an honorarium—offered to buy Serena Bramble a drink next time she was in San Francisco. "That's how I found out she was 20 years old!"

"Next year!" Serena shouted out in promise.

Made by this young psychology student from Santa Rosa—cut on the iMovie that came installed on her laptop—Bramble never once imagined she would see her iMovie projected onto the Castro Theater's huge screen. Muller had encouraged her to attend opening night because he was convinced that—once she saw the film projected on a large screen and witnessed the audience reaction—she would know her calling. Her response at the time was, "Darn. I have to take my driver's test."

Once Eddie situated her in the audience, Serena stood to receive her due applause. Sitting directly behind her, I can vouch that throughout the evening she was congratulated over and over for her shining accomplishment.

Of related interest: Noir City Index.