Feature Film: The Pearl
A Saints Spies Satire — Based on a True Story
In the shadow of the Iron Curtain, one man’s quiet faith outwits an empire built on fear.
The Pearl tells the astonishing true story of Henry Burkhardt, a humble church leader in communist East Germany who becomes an unlikely adversary to the Stasi — the most formidable secret police in the world. Charged with leading his congregation under constant surveillance, Henry learns the delicate art of navigating a system designed to crush belief.
Through decades of interrogations, denials, and daring persistence, Henry’s faith becomes both his shield and his weapon. His greatest act of courage culminates in helping secure government permission to build a temple — an unprecedented miracle in a nation sworn to atheism.
Told with a blend of dramatic tension and sharp, satirical wit, The Pearl explores how integrity, humor, and divine purpose can triumph even in the bleakest political landscapes.
A Three Coin Productions film, The Pearl invites audiences to reflect on what faith looks like under pressure — and how light can outsmart the darkness.
