The Astonishing True Story of a 19-Year-Old American,
His Capture by the Motilone Indians and His Adventures in Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe.
Synopsis
Bruchko tells the true story of Bruce Olson, a young man from Minnesota who, at the age of 19, feels called to serve as a missionary to the indigenous Motilone (Bari) people in the jungles of Colombia. Despite facing immense challenges—language barriers, isolation, sickness, and even physical danger—Olson immerses himself in the Motilone culture. Over time, he learns their language and gains their trust, eventually leading many of them to Christianity.
Bruce Olson is a nineteen-year old Minnesotan boy who feels called by God to leave behind the comforts of late 1950’s America to spread the gospel to a stone-age tribe the Spanish named Motilone or “people of the short hair”. They call themselves the Bari, which means “we the people.” Not much is known about them except that few who encounter them come back to tell the tale.
The book highlights Olson's deep faith, his commitment to understanding and respecting the Motilone way of life, and the extraordinary sacrifices he makes to communicate and connect with this isolated tribe. His story is not just about religious conversion but also about cultural transformation, personal growth, and the power of perseverance.
Bruce applies at various missions’ organizations, only to be told he needs more schooling. Bruce’s family urges him to reconsider, but his mind is set. No one wants him to go, and no one welcomes him upon his arrival. After learning Spanish in Venezuela, he heads into the jungle and encounters the Yuko who surround him and shoot him full of arrows.
He survives, learns the Yuko language, only to find out they’re not the Motilone. The dangerous Yuko refuse to take Bruce to the Motilone territory out of fear of the much fiercer Motilone warriors. So Bruce walks from tribe to tribe until a small group of terrified Yuko agree to take him.
Trial after trial, Bruce’s faith takes him deeper into the jungles of Colombia than any white man had ever ventured and eventually land him in the log houses and hearts of the Bari. Bruce brought them medicine, education, a voice in Colombian congress, and most important, Jesus. He is 83 years old, speaks 15 languages, and still lives in the jungles of Colombia. The Bari now have healthcare, food coops, have sent two generations to college while maintaining all of their tribal heritage, customs and culture. He has befriended five Colombian presidents and in 2024 was “knighted” by the Colombian government.
PUBLISHED WORLDWIDE
Sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide
|
|
|
|
COMPARABLE FILMS
BOX OFFICE
|
BOX OFFICE
|
BOX OFFICE
|
There is always room in the market for a character-driven action thriller, appealing to a wide age group, with traditionally
strong domestic and international sales.
The audience known as "Mature Cinephiles" aged 34-64 are the highest consumers of this genre of film, across the world. Giving the film longevity in all markets from Cinema to Streaming.
SOURCE: AFM MARKET REVIEW
A Note from Producer Matt Kuiper
This is a movie for those who have and have not read the book. It’s a movie for this and future generations. It’s a Call To Action for the young and an exciting story for the old. This generation is lost for lack of direction. This movie says there is a real God. And God has amazing plans for your life. It says, don’t stop because of religion. Don’t stop following Jesus because of fear. Don’t stop even if there’s an actual poison arrow in your thigh. God is for you when the whole world is against you. God loves you.
We know what it's like to have a best friend, or want one. And we know what it's like to be lonely. Aside from battling the dangers of bows and arrows, snakes and scorpions, Bruce battled loneliness. First, Bruce found Jesus and later, he found Bobby. Bobby, a Colombian Native, was like family; he became closer than a brother to Bruce. He had a great sense of humor, honor, and commitment. Amongst his people, the Bari, each person has a secret name and a public name. Everyone can know your public name, and some Bari never tell anyone their secret name. It's one of the most precious things a Bari can own. Bobby told Bruce his secret name, which was akin to being blood brothers. This is a an amazing story of friendship and faith, Jesus' love, brotherly love, and even romantic love. A story chock full of fear and danger, thrills and adventure, and we can't wait for you to see it on the big screen!
We know what it's like to have a best friend, or want one. And we know what it's like to be lonely. Aside from battling the dangers of bows and arrows, snakes and scorpions, Bruce battled loneliness. First, Bruce found Jesus and later, he found Bobby. Bobby, a Colombian Native, was like family; he became closer than a brother to Bruce. He had a great sense of humor, honor, and commitment. Amongst his people, the Bari, each person has a secret name and a public name. Everyone can know your public name, and some Bari never tell anyone their secret name. It's one of the most precious things a Bari can own. Bobby told Bruce his secret name, which was akin to being blood brothers. This is a an amazing story of friendship and faith, Jesus' love, brotherly love, and even romantic love. A story chock full of fear and danger, thrills and adventure, and we can't wait for you to see it on the big screen!
THE CAST
{to be announced}
We would love to hear from you.
|
|
