The German, the chilling 2011 horror/suspense novel by Lee Thomas, a Bram Stoker and two-time Lambda Literary Award winner, is about to become a feature film. While The German was set in post WWII small town America, the film incarnation is about a Syrian and takes place in present day, Trump era America.
Part Fargo, part Brokeback Mountain, part Stranger Things, part Mississippi Burning, Perpetual tells the story of small town tensions erupting into scenes of vicious vigilante vengeance as a sheriff hunts down a brutal killer who leaves Islamist calling cards in the remains of his victims, insinuating a private Holy War against America. As the town searches for answers, all eyes turn toward a reclusive foreigner, living in their midst.
“When I first read Lee’s novel when it was published back in 2011, I thought it was great… but kind of as a measure of how far society had progressed since the 1940s more than anything, says filmmaker Andy Collier of Loose Canon Films. “I believed we were (mostly) way beyond the kind of unashamed, mass hysterical descent into hatred and bigotry examined in the novel. But then Brexit happened. And then Trump happened. And the far right was suddenly emboldened, and the clock was suddenly wound back, and the book became chillingly topical again.”
Loose Canon Films partner Tor Mian adds, “In updating the novel to a contemporary setting, what we found most remarkable is how timeless these issues unfortunately are.”
In a subtle, supernatural twist, the main character is not only Syrian and gay, but also immortal, blessed/cursed with eternal life.
Out Canadian-British stage and screen actor Ross Mullan, now most famous for his role as the White Walker on Game of Thrones (seasons 2 – 4), was the first to sign on and will play one of the deputies in the sheriff’s team.
“Perpetual will shoot next year in northern Utah, with the kind support of the Utah Film Office,” says Loose Canon’s Collier. “We are working to get this film together in record time, as we believe it’s a story that will have huge impact given the current political situation.”
