Private Project

Warriors: The Bernie Mac Disease

Bernie Mac's widow, Rhonda, takes us on a deeply personal journey through the life and legacy of the beloved comedian and the impact that sarcoidosis had on his rise to fame. Patients from the USA, Germany and Ghana describe their fight.

  • Nicholas Markart
    Director
    Peacekeeper (2017), Stoneheart: An Undying Gift (2021)
  • Stephen Hilfiker
    Producer
  • Rhonda McCullough
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Bernie Mac
    Key Cast
    "Himself (Archival)"
    The Bernie Mac Show, Ocean's Twelve, Transformers, The Original Kings of Comedy, Mr. 3000
  • Andrea Budde
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Stefan Brixner
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Marilyn Adonsah Annan
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Papa Yaw Annan Addo-Boateng
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Dr. Bettina Heidecker
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Dr. Benjamin Mackie
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Dr. Ronald Schwartz
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Chasta Posey
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Dr. Ulf Landmesser
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Dr. Nadera Sweiss
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Allain Osman
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Roberta Annan
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Nicholas Markart
    Co-Producer
  • Nicholas Markart
    Editor
  • Justin Luthor
    Narrated By
  • Marcus DiLauro
    Sound Mixer
  • Marcus DiLauro
    Sound Mixer
  • Adam Wright
    Distribution and Marketing Consultant
  • Hilfiker Life Missions, LLC
    Created by
  • Nicholas Markart
    Writer
  • Spencer Perl
    Associate Producer
  • Papa Yaw Annan Addo-Boateng
    Associate Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 25, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cannes International Film Festival - The American Pavilion
    Cannes
    France
    May 25, 2023
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Fort Myers International Film Festival
    Fort Myers
    United States
    May 18, 2023
    Florida Premiere
    Winner - Best Short Film
  • The Bernie Mac Foundation 6th Annual Purple Carpet Fundraiser
    Chicago
    United States
    April 22, 2023
    Special Advanced Screening, Does not Affect Premiere Status
    Dorothy Bland Sarcoidosis Warrior of the Year Award - Steve Hilfiker (Producer)
  • Berlin Indie Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    January 14, 2024
    Winner - Best Short Documentary, Winner - Best Director of a Short Documentary
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards
    Chicago
    United States
    No Public Screening, Doesn't affect premiere status
    Nominated: Best Short Documentary
  • Central Florida Film Festival
    Mount Dora, Florida
    United States
    November 1, 2023
  • Dumbo Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    No Public Screening, Doesn't affect premiere status
    Semi Finalist: Best Short Documentary
Director Biography - Nicholas Markart

Nicholas Markart is a writer, director and editor who's been working in Los Angeles since 2019. His work has been featured in festivals such as Cannes, the Student BAFTA Awards, and Hollyshorts. He's worked for Warner Brothers Television on DC's Arrowverse and edited campaigns for companies such as Bud Light and Thuma Mattresses.

In 2022, he became the Media Director of the Foundation for Organ Donation and Sarcoidosis Awareness, where he has interviewed over 50 patients and clinicians in 3 continents and directed the biographical documentary "Warriors: The Bernie Mac Disease". These powerful patient stories have been viewed over 1M times.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I've had personal experience with sarcoidosis through a loved one's struggle, and it's become a topic that's very important to me. Seeing the challenges they faced firsthand has motivated me to raise awareness and share stories about this often-overlooked disease. Bernie Mac and Rhonda's example of resilience and determination is incredibly inspiring, and it shows that sarcoidosis can impact anyone, even those who seem to have it all together. Bernie Mac's approach to life, finding humor even in tough times, is something I find admirable and strive to emulate.