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Logline

After a pre-med soldier dies in WWII boot camp he encounters a being of pure loving light – the Christ, who guides him through heaven, hell, and other dimensions in between. Sent back to earth against his wishes, as the war rages around him George yearns to return to infinite love, but instead he must discover unconditional love within himself and others before he can embrace life and begin his mission as a doctor.

Synopsis

George contracts a severe infection and dies.

Bewildered, that he is conscious he desperately searches for his lifeless body – there must be some mistake here, how can he somehow be alive and dead at the same time?

In utter loneliness he sees no hope for himself. Desperately he cries out for help and instantly finds himself in the presence of a blinding light.

More than just a supernatural light, George realizes that the light radiates from a magnificent being, a being he identifies as ‘The Christ’. Immersed and transformed to the very depths of his soul by absolute love, a love so wonderfully powerful and freeing, George is certain never to leave this joy.

He is transported into the realms of hell, heaven, and other dimensions in between where he experiences that life beyond is often a construction magnified by the beliefs, emotions and actions we carry over from our life on earth.

However, George is shown these realities because he is being turned back to earth. Desperately he reaches out to stay as he is drawn back into his body.

Upon his awakening he is deeply altered, but certain he was not meant to return. He resents his fate to earth and everything about it. He longs for the presence of pure love. Of course this causes relationship problems with his girlfriend Marguerite who cannot comprehend his experience and the distance it has caused between them.

As he struggles to come to terms with his physical state, he vows to straighten out his life and fulfill the answer to the monumental question the being of light asked him, “What have you done with your life – how much have you loved?”

(Inspired and based on the true story, Return From Tomorrow written by George Ritchie with Elizabeth Sherrill has been translated into nine languages and never been out of print since 1978.)
 

Meet the Filmmakers

James Guyer – Producer
Jim is Principal of The Calling Production a film production company. He produces films including: Ping Pong Summer, directed by Michael Tully and starring Susan Sarandon and Lea Thompson; A Dangerous Practice (Predestinado), directed by Gustavo Fernandez starring James Faulkner, Danton Mello, and Juliana Paes. While he makes no comparisons to the legendary Frank Capra, Jim is inspired that Capra was a chemical engineer prior to his film career – Jim is a Civil Engineer with a University of London Masters in Law also practicing domestic and international dispute resolution on major construction projects.

Kevin Bernhardt – Writer
Kevin has over 34 produced screenplays ranging from commercial action to critically and spiritually-acclaimed films. In the past 4 years, he has had 4 films shot as a writer/producer with budgets ranging up to $30 million. His work has included Academy Award winners and nominees including Michael Caine, Dennis Hopper, Patti LuPone, Christopher Plummer, Donald Sutherland, John Lithgow, Nick Nolte, Djimon Hounsou, and Sylvester Stallone.

George Rush – Legal/Sales Rep
George M. Rush is an attorney who has practiced law since 2001 and is dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers, stewarding them in the business and legal issues to make films both commercial and artistic successes. His clients include producers, directors, screenwriters and investors in development, production and distribution phases of filmmaking George also produces films, including: Entertainment, directed by Rick Alverson and starring Gregg Turkington and John C. Reilly.; Ping Pong Summer, directed by Michael Tully and starring Susan Sarandon and Lea Thompson (Sundance 2014); The Informant, a documentary directed by Jamie Meltzer (2012 Doc NYC Grand Jury Prize Winner); and 4th and Goal, a documentary directed by Nina Gilden Seavey (2010); Sorry to Bother You, which sold for a near record seven-figure deal at Sundance 2018.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.