Gabe Polsky’s Wild New Doc ‘The Man Who Saves the World?’ Sets Unusual Rollout, Awards-Qualifying Run (Exclusive)

An unconventional documentary by an uncommon director will have an unorthodox premiere, according to what The Hollywood Reporter has found out.

The Savior of Our World? – A Documentary by Renowned Filmmaker Gabe Polsky (2014’s Red Army, 2018’s In Search of Greatness and 2022’s Butcher’s Crossing)

Storyline: This intriguing documentary chronicles the journey of an unconventional American peace activist, Patrick McCollum. Believing he is destined to carry out an ancient prophecy – that a single individual would unite the indigenous tribes of South America and protect the Amazon – he takes drastic steps to make this vision a reality.

In this astonishingly unbelievable movie, a film equally as wild, bizarre, and compelling as Werner Herzog’s masterpieces, Polsky – a protégé of Herzog who has crafted a film of his own that matches the legend’s brilliance – embarks on global adventures alongside McCollum, much like Sancho Panza accompanied Don Quixote. The audience finds themselves teetering between doubts about whether McCollum is mad and suspicions that he might just be onto something remarkable. There is no denying the allure of this man; even Jane Goodall, who appears in the film, describes him as “arguably the most extraordinary individual I’ve ever encountered.

Could This Be the Man Who Saves the World?

This intriguing movie already has a substantial following. Among its executive producers are Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, and Jody Hill from Rough House Pictures, along with Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly. Farrelly expresses his affection for the film, stating, “I adore this movie, and I wish everyone could see it because it’s uplifting and relevant.” McBride, Green, and Hill add, “A film as eccentric, inspiring, and human as this one fits perfectly with Rough House Pictures. It’s the kind of film that makes you laugh, ponder, and question everything – even why you find yourself cheering for a jungle prophet armed with a machete and a vision.

When most documentaries not focused on celebrities are facing challenges in securing traditional distribution, Polsky has joined forces with Area 23a (a company recognized for distributing films like Fantastic Fungi and Common Ground). He has planned a hybrid release for his film, which includes a series of sneak previews in the Bay Area towards late September, with Polsky and McCollum present. This will be followed by an awards-eligible theatrical run in LA starting on Oct. 17. After this, Polsky and McCollum will embark on a nationwide tour with the film.

Polsky says to THR, ‘I’ve created films with numerous extraordinary characters, but Patrick McCollum stands out as uniquely exceptional. A tale this peculiar can’t be fabricated. I embarked on an incredible voyage, and I’m thrilled to let the audience join me for this exciting adventure.’

An exclusive first look at the film’s poster appears below.


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2025-07-24 22:25