In a corner of the world rarely mentioned, Princess Sophia is the sole heir to the kingdom of Preanna. After the death of her mother she seeks freedom from her father, an insidious King driven mad by grief. A war brews in the neighboring nation of Nantio as violent revolutionaries stand against Preanna and the royal guard. Sophia endeavors to break the chain of tyranny rooted in her home country and her fathers dictatorship.
A Little Resistance began as a solitary act of creation. It was a way to move forward when I felt stuck.In the early days, there was no cast or crew - just an idea, some sketches, and a quiet obsession with building a world.
What began in 2005 as a war film, influenced by the scale of Apocalypse Now, gradually evolved into something more intimate and stylised. Subtle but profound influences like Wes Anderson and Baz Luhrmann began to shape the tone, showing me that emotion could be heightened, not hidden ... and that handmade filmmaking still had power.
The story, led by Princess Sophia, was meant to look back at conflicts past. It explored the cycles of power and resistance that haunt history. But heartbreakingly, its themes remain just as relevant today.
That weight stayed with me through the years, and as my research deepened and I grew older, the project continued to grow with me. The process became a kind of creative refuge — a safe space I could return to again and again.
Over more than a decade, I collected props and costumes from thrift stores, salvaged hard rubbish, and built miniature battlegrounds by hand. I dug trenches in my parents’ backyard, laid down sandbags, and raised cover and tattered flags.
Every element of A Little Resistance was constructed slowly and stubbornly, piece by piece. I’m grateful to the friends, family, and believers who became heroes simply by showing up.
When the cast and crew finally joined the journey - and Charles Terrier told me, “Now is the time to do something with all the pieces you’ve built” - the film changed again.
It became a shared act of creation. Of trust. Of friendship. Together, we crafted a story that sits somewhere between dream and memory: an industrial fantasy built from grit, theatre, and a love of the handmade.Across the years - and especially during my mum’s battle with breast cancer - the film gave me something to build toward.
It became purpose. It became continuity. And in many ways, it became resistance to the normality of life.A Little Resistance is not just a film. It’s a monument to perseverance, to creativity against the odds, and to the small acts of courage that shape us.I’m proud to finally share it - and, in many ways, to let it go.
— Michael Loder - Creator

Our first feature film, A Little Resistance, is the result of more than a decade of dedication and creativity.
My journey through prop-making, costume design, directing, and set construction has been an incredible joy.
From digging up my parents' backyard to filling sandbags, laying barbed wire, and building battlements—we shaped the set for our epic final act with our own hands.
The project embraces a theatrical style that pays homage to classic filmmaking techniques. A blend of miniatures and vintage-style newsreels brings a heightened charm to the story.
- Michael Loder
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
Release date: February 2, 2025
Country of origin: Australia Language: English
Filming locations: Melbourne, Australia
Production company: Rusty Sprocket Films
A Little Resistance is a testament to our, and our entire cast and crews determination, creativity friendship, passion and love for filmmaking.
We are honoured to share it with you, and we sincerely hope you enjoy it. Much like Michael has said above, this project is in many ways a representation of his, and our lives, our youth on screen. It encapsulates everything our minds could think of and dream of when we were younger.
A Little Resistance, was and is still is the single greatest education in Filmmaking I have ever received, and will ever received, it taught me and all of us about teamwork, collaboration, lighting, sound, camera, directing, producing, the list goes on! It was my University degree in many ways, and has spurred me toward a life in the arts in more ways than I can say.
Thank you for watching our film, we hope you take something away from it, and if nothing else we hope it makes you smile.
— Charles Jazz Terrier - Co-Director
© 2026 Mike Loder. All rights reserved.
Original films, photography, writing and creative work produced by Mike Loder may not be reproduced without permission. Third-party trademarks, game footage, characters, logos, promotional imagery and other assets featured in Levelhead Gaming content remain the property of their respective owners and are used for editorial, review and commentary purposes.
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