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False Prophets

False Prophets follows the journey of Thorn, a hitman who is drawn into a web of betrayal, moral ambiguity, and self-discovery. When tasked with eliminating a target, Thorn uncovers a much darker conspiracy involving his mentor, Cray, and a powerful figure named Valentina Vargas. As the layers of deception unravel, Thorn is forced to confront his own values and the brutal reality of the world he's been a part of. With each decision, Thorn is pushed further into a moral dilemma that tests his loyalty, humanity, and sense of identity, ultimately forcing him to question everything he believes.

  • Jacob Swiatek
    Director
    Nature's Palette, A song For The Departed
  • Jacob Swiatek
    Writer
    Nature's Palette, A song For The Departed
  • Tony Ashley
    Producer
  • Eli Hoover
    Key Cast
    "Lerenzo Thorn "
  • Nick Lombardi
    Key Cast
    "Author Cray "
  • Delaney Fark
    Key Cast
    "Valentina Vargas"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Action, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - southern Illinois university
Director Biography - Jacob Swiatek

Jacob Swiatek is a filmmaker, writer, and musician from Lake Zurich, IL, currently studying Cinema and Photography at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He has written and directed several projects, including Kind Words (Writer, Cinematographer), False Prophets (Writer, Director), and Nature’s Palette (Writer, Director, Co-Editor, Production Designer). Jacob has also contributed to other productions in various creative roles, including A Song for the Departed (Co-Director, Producer, Writer), Chrylisis (Production Designer), and Ghosted (Actor). Passionate about exploring human emotions and storytelling through a visual medium, Jacob continues to push boundaries in his work.

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Director Statement

False Prophets is my first independent film, and it represents a significant step forward in my journey as a filmmaker. While I’ve previously written and directed Nature’s Palette and co-directed and written A Song for the Departed, this film pushed me to explore new creative territory. It challenged me to expand my vision and take risks on a much larger scale.
The themes of betrayal, self-discovery, and moral ambiguity demanded a deeper, more mature approach to storytelling. This film was an opportunity for me to confront the complexities of human emotions and relationships in a way that felt both personal and universally relatable. I wanted to create a story where every decision, every betrayal, and every consequence was felt on an emotional level by both the characters and the audience.
As a director, I’ve always been drawn to exploring the inner struggles of characters, and False Prophets allowed me to dig deeper than ever before. It required me to balance intricate character development with a plot that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. I pushed myself to make every scene count, ensuring that the emotional depth, pacing, and visual storytelling were all in service of the story and the characters’ journeys.
This film has challenged me in ways that no other project has, and I’m proud of how it has helped me grow as a filmmaker. False Prophets marks an important chapter in my creative journey, one that I hope will resonate with audiences and inspire them to confront the complexities of their own lives and choices.