Montford Point Marines
Films directed by Daniel L. Bernardi, Eliciana Nascimento, and Jesse Sutterley.
In this film series of triumph and transformation, we journey with five African American Marines who rise from the segregated trenches of Camp Montford Point to etch their undeniable marks on history. Together, their stories form a mosaic of courage, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of the American dream, echoing their voices through the annals of the nation’s history.
PTSD & Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI)
Films directed by Silvia Turchin, Adan Pulido, and Valeries Soe
We often learn about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from watching the news and movies, making our experience of these challenges more stereotypical than lived. In this series, Marines and Soldiers tell their story of PTSD and TBI – how they got it, how it has changed their personalities and outlooks, and what they are doing to persevere and even thrive.
Women in the Military:
Seasons I & II
Films directed by (Season I) Allyce Ondricka, Eliciana Nascimento, David Washburn, Silvia Turchin, and Natasha Sharapova; (Season II) Hannah Anderson, Eliciana Nascimento, Daniel L. Bernardi, Silvia Turchin, and Jennifer Hammett
This series tells the story of the heroic accomplishments of women in the U.S. military. Subjects include a Civil War spy, the first woman to earn the rank of Admiral, life as a Sailor onboard a deployed ship, the effort to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” which discriminated against gays and lesbians in the military, and the Congressional effort to address sexual assault in the military.
Fighter Pilots & Flight Officers
Films directed by Alexander Zane Irwin, Daniel L. Bernardi, David Washburn, Alexander Zane Irwin, and Carolina Gratianne
This series tells the story of the heroic accomplishments of U.S. military pilots from World War One, Word War Two, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. Topics include dog fights, bombing missions, getting shot down, being a prisoner of war, search and rescue, and what families and friends must endure when a beloved pilot is killed in the line of duty.
Iraq War Experience
Films directed by Maria Luisa Forenza, Adan Pulido, Daniel L. Bernardi, Andrés Gallegos, and Natasha Sharapova
The Iraq War, an unexpected front in the War on Terror, from the veterans' point of view. Subjects include Ranger battalions, combat camera, special forces, prisoners of war, nursing on the front lines, and a Gold Star mom’s memory of her son.
Vietnam War Experience:
Seasons I & II
Films directed by (Season I) Daniel L. Bernardi, Adan Pulido, and Carolina Gratianne; (Season II) Andrés Gallegos, Daniel L. Bernardi, Allyce Ondricka, and John Giannini
This series tells the story of the Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as the American War, from the veteran point of view. Subjects include the draft, wounded in action, becoming a prisoner of war held in the Hanoi Hilton, aerial combat, jungle warfare, forgiveness and friendship across “enemy” lines.
Korean War Experience
Films directed by Jesse Moss, Andrés Gallegos, Alexander Zane Irwin, and David de Rozas
This series tells the story of the Korean War, also known as the Forgotten War, from the veteran point of view. Subjects include storming the beach, tank battles, the battle of the Chosin Reservoir, aerial combat, prisoner of war, and the Congressional Medal of Honor.
World War I Experience
Films directed by Alexander Zane Irwin, Carolina Gratianne, Sreang C Hok, Eliciana Nascimento, Daniel L. Bernardi, and David de Rozas
This series tells the story of World War One, also known as the Great War, from the veteran point of view. Subjects include the Lafayette Escadrille, anti-submarine warfare, trench warfare, gas warfare, the music and heroics of the Harlem Hell Fighters, the Battle of Belleau Wood, the rule of nurses on the front lines, and the Congressional Medal of Honor.
World War II Experience:
Seasons I & II
Films directed by (Season I) David Washburn, Robert Barbarino, Alexander Zane Irwin, Daniel L. Bernardi, and Jesse Collier Sutterley; (Season II) John Giannini, Jesse Collier Sutterley, Alexander Zane Irwin, and Hannah Anderson
This series tells the story of the World War II experience from the veteran point of view. Subjects include the European front, the shame of American internment camps amidst the heroics of the Nisei Soldiers, the experience of concentration camp liberator, and a daughter's memory of a Dad that embodied the Greatest Generation.
Afghanistan War Experience
Films directed by Michael Behrens, Daniel L. Bernardi, and Jesse Collier Sutterley
The series on the Afghan War delves deeply into the human experiences and personal stories shaped by the conflict. Rory Fanning's narrative follows his disillusionment with the military's mission, leading him to become a war resister after witnessing the cover-up of Pat Tillman's death. Katherine "Cat" Harris' story captures her service with the U.S. Rangers, marked by the loss of her best friend, Jenny Moreno, and her subsequent struggles with grief and recovery. Kim LeBel's life is similarly scarred by the loss of her best friend, Florence Choe, in an attack by an Afghan soldier, leading to a personal journey of overcoming abuse and finding resilience. The tapestry of memories around Kcey, a vibrant young Air Force member, portrays the enduring impact of her joyful spirit amidst the heartbreak of her death in a plane crash, as her loved ones strive to keep her memory alive. Lastly, a short film poignantly illustrates a mother's anguish over her son Michael's tragic battle with PTSD and eventual suicide, emphasizing the critical need for better mental health support for veterans. This series provides a profound exploration of love, loss, and the lasting scars of war.
Buffalo Soldiers & the Indian Wars
Films directed by Allyce Ondricka, Alexander Zane Irwin, Josh Cardenas and Sean Restivo
Spanning the turbulent chapters of American history, this gripping film series illuminates the valor and tribulations of African American soldiers and Native American warriors amidst the nation's formative conflicts. From the courageous yet overlooked African American servicemen fighting against segregation and discrimination across the 19th and 20th centuries, to the nuanced tale of the Buffalo Soldiers' role in the Apache conquests, each film weaves a complex history of honor, sacrifice, and injustice. As the series delves into the deep recesses of the U.S.-Indian wars, it confronts viewers with the harsh realities of war, the price of progress, and the enduring quest for recognition and reconciliation, challenging us to reflect on the legacies of those who fought on the forgotten fringes of history.
LGBTQ in the Military
Films directed by Alexander Zane Irwin, Daniel L. Bernardi, Silvia Turchin, Birdy Hong, and Caitlin Williams
LGBTQ in the military is a cinematic anthology that maps the intersection of personal truth and public service in a world often resistant to both. It traces the tale of a man whose love defies the barriers to military service, finding new avenues to contribute to the nation he cherishes during WWII. In the midst of societal turbulence during and after the Korean War, Conte emerges as a beacon of hope—an immigrant's offspring breaking ground as a transgender city council member in Colorado. The series spotlights the courage to stand against concealment policies in the military, highlighting the valor of those like Zoe Dunning who fought opening to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Next, Linda Campbell's story unfolds as a post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" narrative, where an Air Force veteran's struggle for authenticity ushers in an era of change, leading to a precedent-setting resting place next to her beloved partner. The chronicle reaches a poignant crescendo with Adrianna, whose ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields of Afghanistan leaves behind a legacy of love, epitomized by her widow, Heather, and child. This film series weaves narratives that confront the core of who we are, challenging the status quo and advocating for a future where love, identity, and service are celebrated without reserve.
