Sons Of Adam

Description

Two decathletes, raised in the same foster home, compete to represent their country in the 2020 Olympics. As the consistent victor, Abel attributes his wins to God's grace, whilst his brother Kane looks on enviously, desperate for his own glory. After he receives some bad advice from his coach, Kane takes performance enhancing drugs to beat his undefeated brother. Torn between doing what is right and what he wants, Kane then frames Abel for doping. Abel watches his world tear apart as he is eliminated from the Olympic trials. Kane continues to fall into moral decline as he finds his cheap victory utterly dissatisfying and the pressure of the international stage too much to handle.

This film would track the brothers' decisions and developments across the time span of a decathlon. The film starts with the first event, the 100m sprint, and finishes after the tenth. Whereas most athletics movies revolve around one big race, this structure increases tension and keeps the pace of the production at a good level. Dispersed amongst the events are scenes revolving around the conduct of the athletes and flashbacks to Kane and Abel growing up together in foster care.

Biblical Connection

I think the account of Cain and Abel is about the contrasting hearts of two men: one who seeks his own glory with a hard heart, the other who seeks to please God with his all. It wasn't merely the physical offering of Cain which displeased God, it was more the heart with which he offered it. God is merciful and even warns Cain "sin is crouching at your door", but he ignores that and kills his brother. My contemporary twist on this story involves the same jealousy from Cain, but the offering is how the athlete brothers thank God in their victory speeches; one honestly thanks Him for the gift of running fast, the other selfishly promotes a certain "religious" image.  A common mantra in the world is: "Make something of yourself whatever the cost.” I want to convey how much we lose when we actually do that. The thesis for this project is “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” - Mark 8:35.