*Hellfighter donations can be tax deductible see below for details*
STORY
Hellfighter is an Afro-Surrealist independent short film inspired by the true story of Private Henry Johnson and the all-black 369th Infantry of the first World War.
True Story
- On May 15th 1918, while on patrol in no man’s land, Private Henry Johnson and Private Needham Roberts were ambushed by over twenty German soldiers. While defending Private Robert’s, Henry is struck down but does not give up. With over five bullet wounds, two bayonet wounds, grenade shrapnel and blunt force trauma, Henry fights throughout the night until the German soldiers fully retreat.
Synopsis
- Mortally wounded on the battlefield, 369th Infantryman, Henry Johnson's life flash before his eyes. As he loses consciousness, he realizes he isn't alone. The Inkman, a mental parasite created by Jim Crow era violence, begins to manipulate Henry's memories. To the Inkman, a Black man has nothing worth living or dying for...
"Hellfighter gives a plausible explanation as to how Henry Johnson was able to overcome all odds. African-American heroes and stories of courage are oftentimes undersold, diminished, and this is a deliberate institutional tool used to keep a people of color down. Through our heroes and their stories, we are able to imbue our personal lives with courage" - Noah Fields, Director/Writer
CHARACTERS
HENRY JOHNSON
Standing at 5'3, 130 lbs, Henry is not the typical soldier in the recruiting posters. His entire life he was told he shouldn't strive for much due to his skin color and size. Henry would go through life not realizing how this dragged him down until on May 15th, 1918, the hatred took the shape of the Inkman...
INKMAN
Minstrel shows, caricatures, segregation, violence, and perversions of the black experience are the building blocks of the Inkman. It is the physical embodiment of Jim Crow and self-doubt Henry unknowingly lives with each day. The Inkman is a cartoonish distortion of what a soldier is. While the Inkman speaks in a playful manner, it is not a friend of Henry.... it is a force praying on the destruction of African Americans.
NEEDHAM ROBERTS
At 16 years old, Needham Roberts lied to the recruiter to join the war...
By 17, Needham was ready to die at Henry's side. Regardless of the risks Needham knew the change he could make as a black man in the military. He wasn't going to die without leaving an impact...
COST BREAKDOWN
Want a tax deduction?
Hellfighter is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity. If you need your donation to be tax-deductible. For example if you itemize deductions or are donating on behalf of a foundation; please donate through our Fractured Atlas page instead of this one.
Donations made through Fractured Atlas go directly to the same production.
How can you help us?
CONTRIBUTE backing this campaign would mean getting it ever so closer to the final goal!
ENGAGE for this project to work we must break the internet, so share, comment and make this go viral!
SHARE ➡️ let everyone know about this project, whether they know of The Harlem Hellfighters or not! use the hashtag #Hellfighter or #Hellfighterfilm spread the word! Share your favorite moments from the trailer, observations you made (Easter-eggs you found) and let us know what you are most excited about!
Risks and challenges
As an independent short film, we may face challenges such as limited budget, scheduling delays, and technical issues during production. Post-production can also take longer than expected, and reward delivery may be affected by timelines.
However, we have planned carefully, built flexibility into our schedule, and are committed to delivering a high-quality film while keeping backers updated every step of the way.
Organizer
