By: Collective Development Inc.

Algona, Iowa, was the site of a unique event almost forgotten by history. Many are unaware that multiple PW camps across the midwest held captive Germans during WW2. At this point in the war, many German soldiers being captured were young boys and older men forced to serve in the military. They were shipped to America to serve their detention and eventually were used to address the labor shortage due to the war. Companies like Hormel/Spam started using German PWs in their canning factories. Soon after, the idea of using them to assist the many farmers left short-handed was implemented. This solution was not initially met with enthusiasm from everyone. There was a major population of German people already in the US, which also caused suspicion between neighbors.

Our story focuses on the first family willing to let the Germans come to work their fields. We examine the perspective of the town, the guards, and the prisoners. We also reveal a true event that took place on one particular Christmas. This event ultimately pulls people together and shows the best in people even in hard times such as a world war. The film was brought to the screen by writer DJ Perry and the independent film company Collective Development Inc. (www.cdiproductions.com). The film was directed by Anthony Hornus, who previously directed MBF: Man’s Best Friend, available worldwide.

The film was made possible by The Don Tietz Charity Foundation and several private investors. The film will lock the picture on August 1st, starting with music and sound design with longtime CDI collaborator Dennis Therrian. The film has a planned theatrical premiere in Algona, Iowa, on December 10th of this year. The film is looking to expand its theatrical across the midwest throughout the winter months before going dark until the home video run-up to the 2023 holidays. A new theatrical poster has just been released in advance of a new theatrical trailer, which will be released.