End of Exile

Description

End of Exile centres on the relationship between the oppressor and oppressed; between John, an exiled war correspondent, and Sam, a soldier of the New Thought regime. When the pair are forced together on a journey the balance of power between them becomes more and more unstable. John believes that he must make the ultimate sacrifice to protect his people but he will come to realise that he has underestimated the sacrifice he must make: not to die but to live on under oppression in the hope that his enemy may turn before the promised justice is done.

End of Exile is located in an alternate reality but is less sci-fi and more “pre-apocalyptic.” It is a simple narrative about one relationship and whilst there is a rich context in the background, that is where it stays. The focus on John and Sam makes this film achievable as a short. It’s also visual effects light: an optional backdrop, a nuclear blast and a missile launch. There is only one simple set to build, the challenge being location shooting. I believe that this will lend the film an earthy realism and enable the creation of a strong visual aesthetic.

Biblical Connection

The problem of evil is an ever present query directed at Christianity. End of Exile explores this issue from two passages, the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) and the book of Revelation, focussing on 1:9, 6:9-11 and 14:12. The weeds tell us about God’s withheld judgement as does Revelation 6:9-11, both for the purpose of allowing people to be saved. John’s people hold back their nuclear strike for the same reason. John’s task becomes the patient endurance mentioned in Revelation 14:12, a repeated refrain in the book. The story takes place in Revelation 1:9, with John, an exile, seeing a vision of future justice. John’s message to his people is the book of Revelation, assurance of justice to be done and a call to hold on through the storm of oppression. New Thought are inspired by two of today’s powers that mirror the Roman Empire of John's time in different ways: The brutality and emperor-worship of the North Korean regime and the globally dominating power of “the West”. New Thought embodies the common ideal of “progressivness” justifying power and dominance without accountability. The film looks at the human response to the problem of evil in the light of judgement withheld.