OREM — Ancient Egyptians studied and honored the small dungbeetle, a bug that used the worst of materials to make shelters and nests.

With a variation on a theme, the Thomas Russell script "Mr. Dungbeetle," provides audiences an opportunity to see a great work come from what society deems as some of the worst human material.

A general synopsis provided by its producers says the movie tells of a troubled psychiatrist who goes in search of five schizophrenics who have escaped from a local mental institution. He infiltrates their makeshift mountain outpost and comes face-to-face with his own fears, limitations and forsaken hopes as he becomes acquainted with the patients and their poignant struggles.

The movie goes much deeper than just the psychiatrist's concerns. Through a variety of circumstances, the audience is drawn into the lives of each of these five men.

The movie seems purposely cut into two very different segments: the introduction to the characters and then them facing their fears through personal experiences. The ability of the actors to carry out the roles is fascinating. The humor, sometimes sophomoric, lends itself to the patients' state of mind.

In the first third of the film, it's hard to tell where it's going, but by the time it reaches the individual stories, it's easy to buy into the storyline.

There are some awesome angles, vistas and hilarious moments. A bit rough in editing and production, the final product could be amazing.

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Mr. Dungbeetle

Produced by: Jeff Parkin, Scott Howe, Tom Massmann, Clay McCaw, Craig Shapiro

Starring: Stan Ferguson, Alex Kirry, Clay McCaw, Bill Nelson, Jay Powell, Randy Toews.

Director: Thomas Russell

Rating: probably PG

Length: 85 minutes

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E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com