Help Us Finish Our Short Film - The Axe Forgets

We’re on the brink of finishing The Axe Forgets, a visceral psychological thriller inspired by the true, chilling story of James “Sligo” Jameson, a Victorian naturalist, heir to the Jameson whiskey dynasty, and an officer in Henry Morton Stanley’s infamous Congo expedition. Above you will find a teaser of all we have accomplished so far by our incredible crew.

Now we need your support to complete the final two days of shooting and carry the film through post-production and distribution so we can share the film with the world.

THE STORY

The Axe Forgets plunges into the fractured mind of James, a man torn between his genteel Irish life and the unspeakable atrocities he witnessed, and perhaps orchestrated, in the Congo. Through his feverish journal entries, we relive the horrors of colonialism: a jungle clearing, a lone tree, and a child’s ritual sacrifice that blurs the line between observer and perpetrator. As James' guilt consumes him, he battles to destroy the evidence of his complicity, his meticulously illustrated journal entries, while his sanity crumbles. Is redemption possible, or will he wield the axe once more to erase his past?

This is not just a historical reckoning, it’s a searing exploration of moral decay, privilege, and the ghosts of empire that haunt us still to this day.

The Axe Forgets is not just a period piece, it’s a stark reflection of how the colonial mindset persists in modern systems of power. James' moral collapse, his complicity in violence masked by scientific curiosity and entitlement mirrors the hypocrisy of empires that still exploit human lives and land under the guise of "progress" or today's excuse; "democracy".

James documented horrors but did nothing. Today, we scroll past headlines about colonial wars, detention camps and genocides numbed by privilege and distance.

James' journals are a metaphor for our own willful ignorance. The Axe Forgets asks: Who gets to write history? Who is erased? And what happens when we refuse to look?

LETTER OF SUPPORT

The Axe Forgets has garnered support from Dr. Phil Mullen, Professor of Black Studies at Trinity College Dublin, who has championed the film’s mission. In her words:

“I wish to fully endorse John Christopher's proposed film, lending both my personal and professional support to what I consider to be a most important project. For me, as a Black Irish woman, this project represents an essential contribution to contemporary discussions surrounding colonialism and its enduring impact, making it a most deserving candidate for funding. As a professor of Irish Black Studies, Trinity College Dublin, I am compelled to strongly advocate for financial support of this project, given its potential to foreground crucial historical connections to modern issues of dehumanisation and exploitation, as well as shine a light on our more recent understanding of Ireland's relationship to Empire, both as colonised and coloniser.

I have been fortunate to read the script, and in my view, it offers a penetrating exploration into the dark corridors of colonialism, drawing a poignant parallel between the historical atrocities committed by the main protagonist in the Congo and the persistent dehumanisation evident in contemporary global dynamics. I find the narrative structure particularly compelling. intertwining the protagonist's struggles with flashbacks that reveal his psychological descent.

This results in a stark commentary on the enduring legacy of colonial exploitation, which engages with contemporary issues of race and power.

I have also been able to discuss this project with John himself, which has deepened my understanding of what he and his team intend, and how best to bring this project to fruition.

Funding this film is not just an investment in a creative project but in a work that has the potential to provoke meaningful dialogue and foster a greater awareness of historical injustices.

John Christopher's film is a crucial tool for education and reflection, making it an invaluable addition to the ongoing discourse in Black Studies and postcolonial theory. It deserves the necessary support to reach a broader audience and achieve its full impact.”

Dr. Mullen’s endorsement underscores what we’ve always believed: The Axe Forgets will be both a gripping psychological thriller and a catalyst for discussing colonialism’s living legacy.

DONORS

Any donations big or small will go along way to helping us finish our film. All donors will have their name listed in the credits of the film as a donor.

Thank you for your support.