Primer is the 2004 independent science-fiction film made on a reported budget of $7,000.
Shane Carruth wrote, directed, produced, edited, photographed, and scored the film, as well as starring as Aaron. Its story follows two engineers who accidentally discover a form of time travel, then struggle with the practical, ethical, and personal consequences of their discovery.
The tiny budget shaped the film's distinctive style. Carruth used a skeleton crew of five, shot around the Dallas area over five weeks, limited the number of takes, and relied heavily on careful storyboarding. He then spent roughly two years completing post-production.
Primer is often grouped with other low-budget science-fiction films, but its identity is especially tied to dense technical dialogue and a deliberately difficult structure. It won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and later developed a strong cult following.