By Michael Gonzalez
A diverse community presents a testament to the indomitable human will in the face of adversity through a captivating saga of resilience, courage, and enduring spirit.
Hour-long Series | Drama
Pitch Deck
Think of The Grapes of Wrath
meets To Kill a Mockingbird.
Synopsis
A Lesson in Small Town Courage
In the heart of America’s tumultuous history, Red Hawk Stories weaves a captivating tale of diverse characters chasing the elusive American Dream. Garrett Hartley, a resilient 15-year-old orphan with thirty-five cents to his name, embarks on a five-year hobo journey, navigating the harsh realities of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. His journey leads him to Red Hawk, a serene lumber town, nestled deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where he finds solace amidst adversity.
The tapestry of Red Hawk’s inhabitants is rich and varied. Linda escapes poverty in Kentucky’s coal mines. Lee flees an abusive marriage. Bix, a former FBI agent turned sheriff, seeks redemption. Dover’s family evades racism in rural Tennessee, fleeing after their son, a decorated war hero, is savagely murdered by the KKK. Augie escapes the suffocating poverty of the Mexican Revolution. Yoshi and Akari endure Japanese internment.
As war ravages the world, Red Hawk becomes a bastion of resilience, led by strong women defying societal norms. Yet, beneath its idyllic facade, the town grapples with human frailty—from clandestine tragedies to failed clothes-hanger abortions, the silent fears of a gay deputy sheriff facing exposure, and the haunting specter of war casualties and PTSD with no interventions in sight. Garrett emerges as a beacon of hope, rallying against a menacing land developer.
Across generations, Red Hawk faces social upheavals, from Rock ‘n’ Roll to Vietnam. Many return, seeing it as a sanctuary where dreams flourish. Red Hawk Stories is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of community in the face of a rapidly changing world.
Episode 1 Script
