BROKEN HIP PRODUCTIONS
presents
A shattered hip may slow a man. But grace can make him mighty.
A theater student stages a play about Civil War veteran Major James Coker’s work to rebuild his shattered community, igniting a reckoning over race, history, and redemption.
A forgotten hero. A fractured time. A quest for unity.
The Major centers on a college theatre major staging a play about Major James Lide Coker, a Confederate veteran who became a forward-thinking reformer, an advocate for racial and educational progress, and one of South Carolina’s most successful entrepreneurs.
What begins as a simple school project spirals into a personal and generational reckoning, forcing a confrontation with the past and its power to wound or to heal.
Told through three interwoven storylines—present day, historical flashbacks, and the onstage performance itself—this powerful story speaks to a world hungry for meaning, dialogue, and hope.
The Book
The Major is a motion picture written by Joaquin Fernandez that explores the extraordinary life and legacy of Civil War Major James Lide Coker of Hartsville, South Carolina, through a powerful modern-day lens.
Based on the biography, God, Guts, and Gallantry: The Faith, Courage, and Accomplishments of Major James Lide Coker, by Amazon best-selling author, Dr. Will Joslin, Coker's great-grandson, the film intertwines historical and contemporary elements to create a layered, emotionally resonant narrative.
The Filmmakers
Joaquin Fernandez
Writer/Director/Producer
Joaquin Fernandez is an award-winning filmmaker known for socially relevant storytelling that explores culture, faith, and the human cost of broken systems. He is the founder of Great Commission Films and studied filmmaking at New York University. His work has taken him across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
His credits include multiple feature-length documentaries that address social issues such as public education and the opioid crisis. He also films regularly on the front lines of humanitarian crises, producing character-driven stories for Samaritan’s Purse.
Joaquin is the screenwriter and director of The Major, a project that reflects his passion for historical storytelling rooted in truth, reconciliation, and renewal. He was drawn to the life of Major Coker for its relevance to today’s cultural divisions and its enduring message of rebuilding with purpose and grace.
Will Joslin
Executive Producer, Author
After a dramatic Christian conversion while a pre-law student at UNC–Chapel Hill, Will Joslin redirected his life toward ministry, turning down law school to serve full-time for the next 17 years. He later spent 24 years in business, primarily running his own IT consulting firm, Joslin Computer Solutions. Today, Will and his wife, Becky, have returned to part-time ministry as he focuses on writing and teaching.
In addition to ministry and entrepreneurship, Will has taught extensively on leadership, led men’s groups, and coached basketball and golf. He is a graduate of UNC–Chapel Hill, holds a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and earned a Doctor of Sacred Literature degree from Wycliffe Theological Seminary. He enjoys golf, swimming, and sailing.
As the author of God, Guts, and Gallantry, Will brings rigorous scholarship to the film, ensuring historical accuracy while helping translate Major Coker’s life and legacy for a modern audience.
Kevin Peeples
Co-Producer/Editor
Kevin Peeples is an award-winning filmmaker with over 20 years of experience across feature films, documentaries, and post-production. As a writer, director, editor, and producer, he has led projects from development through final delivery, with credits including LIFEMARK, Like Arrows, and LUSO.
Kevin has also worked alongside major faith-based and mainstream partners including Sony/AFFIRM, Pure Flix, and the Kendrick Brothers, contributing to the production and release of films such as War Room, Overcomer, and Courageous: Legacy. His background includes both creative leadership and the practical realities of executing and finishing feature projects on schedule.
As Co-Producer on The Major, Kevin brings a steady hand to production planning and post-production workflow, helping ensure the film is executed with clarity, efficiency, and a high standard of craft. He is also passionate about mentoring emerging filmmakers and equipping the next generation of storytellers through his Elementary Film School initiative.
Major Coker’s Faith
Major Coker and his wife, Sue, led the Sunday School program at their church for more than four decades, playing a vital role in its growth and spiritual health.
This short video, created to commemorate the 175th anniversary of First Baptist Church of Hartsville, South Carolina, offers a glimpse into his enduring leadership and service.
Partner With Us!
You can be a part of movie-making history! We are currently raising funds to produce a feature-length film, and we would be grateful for your support and encouragement.