Slowboat Films

The Kingdom of Survival explores modern skepticism in America, challenges the status quo and uncovers provocative links between survivalist philosophy, ecumenical spirituality, radical political theory, and outlaw culture. The audience is invited into a thoughtful conversation with the likes of Prof. Noam Chomsky, Dr. Mark Mirabello, Ramsey Kanaan, and the riveting final interview with beloved author, Joe Bageant. These unique thought leaders cast a rare shadow of doubt over our most blindly accepted American traditions.

Follows folk blues singer Jon Konrad a.k.a. Possessed by Paul James on tour from Texas to Louisiana as he attempts to make enough money to supply for his unborn child. On his journey he crosses paths with musical peers, honky tonk proprietors, and religious mavericks. Together they explore their struggles, doubts, hopes, and demons, or - as Jon's friend Scott Biram puts it - "We can rejoice in one another's sharing of pain!"

Franz Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, departed over four years ago on May 14 at age 62. In the years following his lung cancer diagnosis in 2010, Franz, during work sessions, recorded hundreds of hours of audio alone and with his wife Elizabeth ranging from finished poems to revisions and fragments, from favorite poems to memos, personal observations to banter. LAST WORDS is a project that began as an abstract radio play and has evolved into a film that merges poetry and cinema. A film that frames the at times poignant and humorous and at times otherworldly and ecstatic stream of consciousness of Franz & Elizabeth's recordings. LAST WORDS is a film of deliberate restraint and austerity - a film that drops in and out of consciousness and pays quiet homage to one of the great poets of the late 20th/early 21st century.