Mokena Resident Raises Funds For Second Feature Film

MOKENA, IL — A Mokena resident and independent filmmaker is raising funds for his second feature film. Brad Podowski, a Lincoln-Way graduate, is working on his mystery film, "Silent As The Grave."

According to a release, the film is a mystery inspired by actual events, and the story is based on Podowski's uncle's death.

“Shortly after I completed my debut feature film, Redemption Way, my aunt told me she had my next movie idea. At first I chuckled,” Podowski said in a release. “She told me about her brother, my uncle, who died in a tragic freight elevator accident at work when he was 17. I heard this story many times growing up but what I didn’t know was the many uncertainties surrounding his death. One in particular, was the fact that someone had been putting flowers on his gravesite for decades and no one in our family had any idea who it was. My aunt said she believed his death was a cover up. I immediately became fascinated with this real life mystery."

According to a release, the story follows Chris, an obsessive documentary filmmaker, who battles powerful unknown forces as he investigates his uncle’s mysterious death, a tragedy that has plagued his family for decades.

Podowski said in a release he has spent the past year writing and refining the script. Dan Gremley, another Mokena resident, will serve as co-director.

Podowski wrote and produced his first film, "Redemption Way," in 2017, which was shot in the south suburbs. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. It won the bronze award for best drama at the International Christian Visual Media film festival.

For his second film, Podowski has created a campaign on a website called Wefunder.

“We want our followers and supporters to share in our success. That's why we decided to partner with Wefunder - they are kind of like Kickstarter, but for investing instead. You can share in the revenue of Silent as the Grave; if we do well, so will you,” Podowski said in a release.

If he is able to raise the funds, the film should have a 2021 release.

“This story has a lot of meaning for me not only because of the significant family connection but also because of its themes – the importance of family and the power of forgiveness. This thrilling mystery explores the dark side of the human condition, while offering hope in the midst of tragedy,” Podowski said in a release.