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The Agent

The Agent is the story of one man’s journey to bring love back into his life. An artful tribute to all things noir and nostalgic, the film follows Max, a National Security Agent sent on a mission to find and destroy an underground substance known as “Santa”. Up against the clock and compelled to act because of a blackmailing Femme Fatale, Max must figure out how to stop “Santa” from threatening the joyless world of 2099, or it could cost him his wife’s life. With the help of a few unusual characters, Max’s quest takes a colorful turn leading him to discover that the very thing he is trying to destroy might be the antidote that could bring him and his wife back together.

  • Marie-Noelle Marquis
    Director
  • Marie-Noelle Marquis
    Writer
  • Marie-Noelle Marquis
    Producer
  • Maeve Montgomery
    Producer
  • Conor Hamill
    Producer
  • Tyler McKenna
    Producer
  • Tyler McKenna
    Key Cast
    "Maxwell Knight"
  • Conor Hamill
    Key Cast
    "Sam Tah"
  • Maeve Montgomery
    Key Cast
    "Adeline"
  • Marie-Noelle Marquis
    Key Cast
    "Claire"
  • Santiago Rojas
    Key Cast
    "Mike"
  • Michael E. Locke
    Key Cast
    "Max's father"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    fantasy film noir
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    2,400 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4k 10bit
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • OFFICIAL SELECTION BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL

    Ireland
  • REMI WINNER 53rd WORLDFEST HOUSTON 2020
  • Winner - Women Filmmaker Award - Best Shorts Competition 2020
  • Winner - Best Film - Sanford Meisner Film Festival
Director Biography - Marie-Noelle Marquis

Marie-Noelle grew up in Quebec, Canada before relocating to Los Angeles to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon graduation, she began her career in the film industry in 1998. While she initially made her mark as an actor, she quickly realized her love for movies extended far beyond, and in 2002 she began working in production as well.

She has performed in over 43 film and theater projects, written one feature length screenplay, the first season of a series titled "After Hours" as well as numerous commercials. "The Agent" is Marie-Noëlle's first short film as both writer and director.

Over that last 2 decades, her work has expanded from acting to writing and directing, as well as the more technical aspects of post production such as editing, visual effects and producing.

Currently, Marie-Noëlle is partner owner of Entity Media Entertainment (EME). Marie-Noëlle also continues her work as an actor in Los Angeles and is an Alumna of the Meisner Technique Studio and Playhouse West.

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Director Statement

The Agent is a highly visual film, where colors and lack thereof become a character in the story. The theme of The Agent revolves around the importance of human connection. Written and fully produced pre-Covid era, the film ironically is set during a time of pandemic resembling the second wave that hit the world after the Spanish Flu in 1918, which was called "the sleepy sickness" and was characterized by "zombie-like" symptoms of deep depression. In The Agent, the idea of a heavily controlled world meant to keep humans safe has now become a black and white world where souls are dying and the very thing that the authorities are trying to keep people safe from (joy, excitement, gatherings and human connection) ends up being the very thing that can prevent human souls from dying. (Disclaimer: Please know this absolutely doesn't mean we should disregard the current and necessary boundaries set by our world leaders.) These elements are metaphorically expressed through Max and Claire's love story and the mysterious elements known as Santa and the Christmas Spirit. It raises the questions; is human connection the key to sustained happiness? And is happiness the force that can defy all odds?