Filmmaker Follows Eccentric Activist's Quixotic Quest to Save the Amazon

In October 2025, filmmaker Gabe Polsky's latest documentary, "The Man Who Saves the World?", is set to receive a limited theatrical release after struggling to find a mainstream distributor. The 85-minute film follows the eccentric 75-year-old peace activist Patrick McCollum, who believes he has been chosen by an ancient prophecy to unite the Indigenous tribes of South America and save the Amazon from environmental ruin.

Polsky was initially skeptical of McCollum's unbelievable story, which includes his past roles as a prison chaplain to Charles Manson and the Menendez brothers, as well as a jewelry designer for the British royal family. However, after being introduced to McCollum by producer Doug DeLuca, Polsky decided to document the activist's quixotic quest, recognizing that he had "nothing to lose except [his] time."

The film features Polsky himself often voicing his doubts about McCollum's claims, creating a push-and-pull dynamic. But the director's skepticism is challenged when renowned primatologist Jane Goodall appears in the documentary, describing McCollum as "one of the most extraordinary and inspirational people" she has known.

Despite the film's unique blend of humor and urgency in tackling environmental issues, Polsky struggled to find a mainstream distributor. He then enlisted the help of Hollywood heavyweights like Peter Farrelly, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green to serve as executive producers and raise awareness about the documentary.