JUDY BEDNAREK
      Screenwriter | Film Producer     

PROJECT PITCH

 

When Native-American reservations govern themselves it can lead to tribal
corruption, extortion and a life of poverty. Blood in the Earth is a
contemporary thriller with faith-based elements. This is an attempted-murder
mystery with supernatural suspense. Two people who have nothing in
common must help one another in a time of need despite their own personal
trauma.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

As Dale Forrester drives his combine through the corn stalks, he discovers a
Lakota woman who has been buried alive with her nose cut off. Sheriff
Moody interrogates Dale about the incident during an investigation of the
crime. A witness to her own murder, Dale is forced to take the woman home
in protective custody.

Dale becomes a caregiver for Soti who refuses to speak or eat. After she has
reconstructive surgery on her face, they encounter a Great-Horned Owl. Soti claims it is a bad omen and predicts certain death.

 

When Dale loses his hand in the blade of the combine, his depression is numbed by alcohol and painkillers. After he gets a DUI, he must attend AA meetings. Sheriff Moody convinces Soti to leave the women's shelter to save Dale from himself. She provides hope and encouragement while Dale recovers and
comes back from the edge.

Chief Wakataken orders the kidnapping and murder of Soti and Dale. Dale
fights off and kills the intruder who attacks him but Soti is buried alive at the reservation. After the Chief is arrested and taken into custody for his
corruption and crimes, the deed to Dale's land is paid-off by the tribe. Dale's
wife, Abby Forrester, returns to the farm to reconcile their marriage.