Heaven’s Gate 39

Feature Film Screenplay

SYNOPSIS

Though fictionalized, “Heaven’s Gate 39” is based on an actual doomsday cult that existed in the American South-West from 1975 until its self-destruction in 1997.

It’s 1975, Oregon. A room-full of “seekers” are held in thrall by EARL [44], a charismatic alien-enthusiast, who is gathering recruits for the grand project of leaving the doomed planet Earth by spaceship for a new life in the heavens with him, his partner FLORA [40], and several recruits already in tow. In that he receives messages directly from God, who is anyone to disagree?

It’s 1996, Washington, DC, and ROBERT [32], an irresponsible trust-fund-baby, has pushed his MOTHER [54], a powerful US senator, to the brink with his spectacular alcoholism.  Her attempt to push him back into rehab instead pushes him into the ready arms of Earl [now 65] who is skilled at offering shelter to the psychologically wounded, and still trying to assemble his space-bound crew.  Robert is initially more amused than threatened by the California cult’s bizarre rules and routines. Damaged by years of self-abuse, he recognizes the benefits of cleaner living. But, in witnessing the punishments assigned for rule-breaking, and coming to understand the vulnerabilities of the other followers, he increasingly chafes. In easily bonding with the only other malcontent – LANDELL [33] – Robert stirs Earl’s paranoia. Earl tries to tame him with psychosis-inducing rituals, but Robert’s disruptiveness remains. With the nearing of the Hale-Bopp comet, on the tail of which Earl claims will be their spaceship, Earl’s anxiety increases. The more determined he is to keep control, the more unhinged and erratic he becomes.  When his visiting daughter – MAGGIE [27] – also warms to Robert, Earl realizes the threat Robert poses to the group. While crop-circle landing-strips are cut into the compound’s fields in anticipation of the spaceship’s arrival, Earl neutralizes Robert with crippling hallucinogens, has Landell murdered, and prepares the followers for a mass suicide.  Upon seeing the escalation, Maggie contacts Robert’s mother, then rushes herself to the compound, arriving in time to save Robert, but not the 39 others. 

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