THE HELIOS PROJECT
psychological drama, feature film
preproduction

by David McKenna and Katka Konecna

Africa: the cradle of civilization. Rich in resources, blessed by mysterious gods, plagued by bloody political upheaval. A nation of independent states, on the brink of economic collapse and yet holding the key to humanity’s future energy supply.

THE HELIOS PROJECT is a high-stakes adventure that captures the inherent conflict between oil and solar energy companies engaged in commerce, government corruption, and the embattled tribal heartlands of Sub-Saharan Africa where abundant oil and solar energy can both be harvested. The story is a heroic effort to preserve and control humanity’s destiny by breaking our dependency on fossil fuels. 

To whom do the natural resources of the earth belong and what purpose should those resources serve? 

Two young men: white Mathias, black Akuru. Brothers beneath the skin. Both call Africa home.

European born and African raised, white Mathias is accustomed to wealth and privilege due to his father’s oil domination. His opposite is Akuru, son of a tribal leader in East Africa. The two meet a continent away when they race in the New York City Marathon, becoming close friends and competitors.

Mathias returns home to Africa to spearhead his father’s petroleum industry enterprise intended on securing the future. He enlists Akuru as his trusted right hand. Akuru returns the favor by bringing Mathias to his village to experience an enigmatic ritual steeped in the motherland’s mysteries.

The two become brothers, sharing the inner sanctum of both lore and business.

While working for Mathias, Akuru embraces a rare opportunity when a rival energy venture needs his Mathias-inspired skills. If successful, the venture can miraculously harness the energy of the sun for global distribution. By accepting this challenge, Akuru ignites an unexpectedly lethal chain reaction that places halls of power in Europe and Africa as well as Akuru’s home village into deadly conflict. Can Mathias master the lessons he’s learned from Akuru to prevent disaster?

As the powers in play race towards a climax, both men are forced to question the nature of the world and their roles in it. The future is at stake. But who’s future is it and what will it look like?