THE COLLECTOR
A short film about obedience, blood, and the cost of belief.
This page is a home for development materials, production notes, funding details, and behind-the-scenes updates.
THE FILM
In the mid-1800s, Joseph Smith was murdered in Illinois. Brigham Young assumed leadership and led his persecuted people across the United States to settle Zion in Mexican territory.
Survival became doctrine. Doctrine became law. And Brigham Young became the architect of a religious kingdom.
History tells us that that kingdom was eventually absorbed into America.
But what if it wasn’t?
What if Brigham Young’s rule hardened, expanded, and survived into modernity as a wealthy, politically protected religious power, rooted deep into government, business, and the lives of its members?
As a teenager, Chinedu Ejofor joined the Church beside his older brother, both believing that this was the true path to salvation and eternal families. Fifteen years later, Chinedu has become a Collector. His Calling within the Church - a loving, public-facing behemoth with a punishing underground - is to seek out fallen members, and lead each condemned soul through a final rite of confession and repentance, before carrying out God’s judgement himself. Chinedu has built his life around the certainty that his work is righteous, but one confession send him spiraling. And suddenly, the squeeze of the hierarchical zealots tightens around him, led by Brother Bishop who detests his way of being and worship. A simple, routine, post-collection handoff becomes a scrutinizing interrogation of purity and obedience. Proven, but belittled, Chinedu holds his own, knowing his truth. Brother Bishop triggers the trap and Chinedu is left with a Collection that will test the limits of his faith.
STATUS
Currently in development.
SUPPORT
What funding makes possible.
Cast and crew
Locations
Production design
Camera and lighting packages
Sound
Post-production
Festival submissions
Help bring The Collector to life.
If this project resonates, support can come through funding, production help, locations, crew, or simply passing along the information.
