Satan's Greatest Lies (Documentary Feature Film)

My name is Michael Coleman and I am a filmmaker in Mid-Missouri. For the past 12 years I've been honing my craft producing, directing, and editing independent projects of all sizes, from shorts to features, narrative and non-fiction, music videos and commercials. Now, I'm taking the plunge into my feature directorial debut with a documentary film called SATAN'S GREATEST LIES.

The film is a fragmented exploration of grief, about a filmmaker and a maverick conservationist, connected by their shared desire to do something that matters, forging an unexpected bond. As their relationship deepens, the film becomes a profound narrative on the impact of loss, the enduring power of human connection, and the legacy of a life dedicated to preservation.

I wasn't looking for a new project in early 2023, when a friend of mine from Huntsville told me about a man who used to make low budget regional horror films named George Russell. I’ve always been drawn to fringe characters, small town outsiders with big dreams, like Mark Borchardt in American Movie, or Winnebago Man’s Jack Rebney, once starry eyed regional filmmakers jaded by an aging world and the tribulations of life. Needless to say, I couldn't resist the urge to do some internet digging.

When I began wading through the overwhelming online sea of digital biography available on Russell, I quickly learned he was analogous to this archetype, but also possessed a spiritual quality that fascinated me. In all of the interviews, YouTube rants, and investigative reports it was clear that George thrives in the pulpit. He came off like a fiery preacher hell bent on confronting authority.

What I quickly learned was that the horror filmmaking was merely a detour inside of a long journey driven by a deep rooted commitment to conservation. For decades, Russell has fought for to protect the pristine piney woods of East Texas from relentless development. His passion and priority has been, and always will be environmental activism. He earned his fortune in the 1980s and 90s through educational films, dabbled in self-financed horror cinema in the mid-2000s and founded The Universal Ethician Church, an eco-branded religion dedicated to fighting "the destruction of human greed and ignorance."

Russell is a disruptor, a peculiar pariah living on the edges of a conservative community. Long misunderstood, Russell goes against the grain of normalcy and his unwieldy career has created skepticism and mistrust in Huntsville. The film chronicles Russell’s ongoing struggle as he faces the severe financial pressures of mounting debt, legal lawsuits, and the threat of personal and professional collapse. His mission is further complicated by the tragic death of his youngest daughter, Karen, who was fatally shot in March 2021. Ruled a suicide by investigators, Russell and his family have suspicions that some evidence might suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, this profound loss thrusts Russell into deep grief, exacerbating his frustration and accelerating his physical and emotional decline.

SATAN’S GREATEST LIES employs a deeply personal and immersive style, blending candid interviews with richly textured visuals, and a wealth of archival material. It offers a compelling and intimate portrait of Russell’s ongoing battle for conservation, his unyielding commitment to his cause, and the personal cost of his struggle. The film delves into the complexities of grief, the search for a meaningful legacy, and the dramatic interplay between a man’s convictions and the world’s indifference.

The first clip I shot of George is a two hour unbroken driving tour of Huntsville. His narration is a mix of classic quotes about corruption, destruction, greed and ignorance; in addition to personal stories about being haunted by the killing of a squirrel, trying to awaken his Father’s environmental consciousness, and traveling the world shooting educational films. In many ways, his reputation preceded him. Russell is much more tender than his on screen persona.

I feel for George because I want him to succeed. I want to see him happy and feel satisfied with his journey. But, I also recognize that he has a habit of standing in his own way toward gratification. Underneath this feeling of disenchantment, George has been carrying the grief of an unexpected tragedy. On March 3oth, 2021, Karen Lee Russell was found dead outside of her apartment. My knowledge of the situation was limited before visiting Huntsville. But, as George and I spend more time together, he opens up to me about the heartache his family has endured, and offers speculative details about the case; which, after 3 years, remains open.

The loss of Karen has caused George to age in fast forward. When he gets mad about the city painting the curbs “snot yellow”, or when he gripes about a tangential op-ed being rejected by the local newspaper, he’s really mourning over Karen. As a parent, I find it hard to imagine the anguish George and his family are going through. My hope is that this film can provide a pathway for Russell to regain his poise and recognize the accomplishments of a lifetime dedicated to education, preservation, and family. And, while the open wound may persist, I want to strive for our film to contribute to George gaining some sense of closure about Karen.

At this point, I’ve filmed with George for close to 30 days over the course of a year. Starting in July of 2023, three trips have been made to Huntsville and roughly 70 hours of footage has been accumulated. With each visit our bond with the Russell family has grown. We spend time at home with George and his wife Sue. Many nights we eat dinner with them and do our best to provide any extra help that we can outside of filming to make their days easier (both are nearing 80 and have health issues). It’s also been tremendously kind of them to allow us to stay in one of their unused lake homes when filming, this has not just reduced travel costs, but it has also immersed us in Russell’s world filtering all decisions through the lens of our devotion to telling this story as authentically as possible.

George has shown us his world and although the beginning was a struggle to get him to turn off “George, the actor”, we’ve now reached a point where time and space is allowed for intimate observation from day to day. When I’m not in Huntsville, I talk to George regularly on the phone, checking in and making sure he’s alright. Honestly, at this point our relationship has reached the point where I see George as a Grandparent by proxy. The family appreciates what we are doing and has the utmost confidence and trust in our abilities to bring the narrative to fruition in an honest way.

This is where the fundraiser comes in. The money we are looking to raise will push us over the finishline of principal photography, allowing us to get into the heart of post production and finish the film for a hopeful festival run in 2026. With your help, we will be able to cover the travel costs and equipment rentals for three more trips, in addition to archival scanning. If you have any interest at all, a small donation will go a long way to help two budding filmmakers bring an important and resonant story to life.

Thank you in advance,

Michael Coleman (Producer, Director, Editor)