Screenwriting : Survival” – A New Screenplay Idea by Aleksandr Rozhnov

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot about the theme of survival — a concept that’s been explored in so many powerful ways on screen.

For example, when we think about survival in prison, Stephen King’s The Shawshank Redemption immediately comes to mind — a story about endurance, hope, and freedom.

Then there’s Breaking Bad, which could be seen as a tale of survival through illness and financial struggle. (By the way, I’ve always thought it’s funny that if you change just one letter, the title becomes Breaking Bed — and suddenly you’ve got a whole new genre!)

And of course, there’s The Martian — survival on Mars, and quite possibly the most practical manual ever written on how to grow potatoes in… well, you know what.

So here’s my idea: a screenplay about survival in Hell.

I got inspired by a book by Russian healer and mystic Alexander Aksyonov, titled I’m Not a Sorcerer, I’m a Healer. In it, he describes Hell as a nine-story structure with its own hierarchy — even with “days off” on Sundays and holidays.

My concept is about a man who finds himself in Hell and decides not just to survive, but to rise through the infernal ranks — using every bit of cunning, manipulation, and charm to secure a higher place in this underworld society.

Working title: “Paradise in Hell.”

What do you think about this idea, friends? I’d love to hear your thoughts and perspectives.