Eponymous

2024· 65 min· Documentary

A man named Hiram Maxim created the first automatic machine gun, abandoning his family forever to chase glory. His son, Hiram Percy, invented the gun silencer, but few if any know of Hiram Percy’s connection to early personal filmmaking. This unique film, made by Caroline Rumley, who herself is married to a direct descendant of Hiram Maxim—also named Hiram Maxim (stay focused, it can get confusing)—is comprised of footage shot by cinema pioneer Hiram Percy Maxim, who wanted to change his name. It's a fascinating story of legacy and inheritance, as well as the history of guns and cinema itself.

Director: Caroline Rumley