Experiencing Interruptions?

THE STRANGER

In an alternate 1981, decades after a global pandemic shattered the world, the remnants of civilization have devolved into theocratic city states and survive in the shadows of North Africa. Sophie returns to New Marseilles to care for her dying mother, only to uncover the truth about her real father—who was executed for killing a man in cold blood. When she meets a mysterious stranger, a chain of events unfolds that leads her back to the same beach where her real father once stood.

  • Michael Szymczyk
    Director
  • Michael Szymczyk
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Feature, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Sci, horror, drama, generative AI
  • Runtime:
    2 hours 12 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 10, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    GEN AI
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael Szymczyk

Michael Szymczyk is an independent filmmaker, philosopher, and novelist. He is the writer and director of seven feature films—Scent, Eaters of the Dead, SARS-29, Journey to the End of the Night, Night of the Skinwalkers, The Reality of Time and The Stranger.

As an author, Szymczyk has published books across different genres, including essential guides like Independent Filmmaking 101, Cinematography 101, and Cinematic AI, as well as language primers. His philosophical works—Atlantis & Its Fate in the Postdiluvian World and Hyperborea & The Lost Age of Man—condense ancient sources to provide a guide for those searching for lost civilizations, while his novels Toilet: The Novel and Tristan MacArthur & The Dark Forest of Titan reveal a unique narrative voice that offers a soft blend of science fiction and horror with existentialism.

Szymczyk’s diverse body of work reflects his passion for blending storytelling, philosophy, and the avant-garde, establishing him as a thought-provoking voice in contemporary independent cinema.

He is currently finishing his seventh film, The Stranger, which is inspired by the works of Albert Camus.

His first novel received mentions in The Chicago Sun-Times and The Kansas City Star. It was also used in several college level Existentialism courses and had its Farsi translation banned by the Iranian Ministry of Culture.

"Szymczyk is smart." - The Kansas City Star

"Another candidate for the canon?" - The Chicago Sun-Times

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Director Statement

The Existentialist Film Creative is a non-profit filmmaking group dedicated to gaining experience and creating impactful movies. Our mission is to produce meaningful art while providing a fun and supportive environment for people to develop and refine their skills in filmmaking.

We are currently creating films using the latest tools in generative AI and meet once a year in Chicago, Illinois.