A new film project brings John Dos Passos's literary legacy to life.

"During our lifetime," wrote Portuguese-American writer John Dos Passosos, "we must make the torch burn brighter until it goes out inside. "

Today, his grandson, John Dos Passuchos Coggin, completed his campaign on Kickstarter to raise seed money for a new movie project he's been working on called "Son of Portugal".

The dramatic thriller project, set in 1964 in the US and Portugal, centers on an idealistic young couple, Joe and Diane, who work for the US State Department. They host a 16-year-old exchange student, John ("John" in Portuguese), who grew up under Salazar's repressive regime. Joe, Diane and their two children, Dan and Moira, form an unbreakable bond with shy, funny John. When the Salazar regime tortures John's father for his democratic beliefs and then begins persecuting John himself, the Connemara couple are forced to decide what they are willing to do for family and democracy.

Conguin is the screenwriter for the movie "Son of Portugal." He is the only grandson of the writer John Dos Passos (1896-1970). Conggin's roots come from Ponta do Sol, Madeira.

The Son of Portugal project came at an opportune time in publishing. Next year, on April 25, Portugal will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory over fascism. With the start-up capital safely raised, the movie "Son of Portugal" is on its way to success. Mr. Conggin is looking for partners and funding to develop his film project.