ABOUT
Warrior Films is bringing “Veterans Journey Home” to life. This five film series tells a different kind of “Hero’s Journey” than the one the public is used to. Not the tales of heroism and valor on the battlefield but the story of Veterans willing to fight the battle of the demons within – to find emotional and psychological peace with the ghosts of past decisions and actions. This hero’s journey requires a different kind of bravery, not facing bullets and IEDs, but facing tears of anguish and loss, facing acceptance of extreme fear, facing rage at betrayal, facing paralyzing self-doubt and shame, facing judgments of self-hatred.
The Veterans in our films, different across race, class, and culture – men and women, African Americans and Latinos, gay and straight…flesh out our different storylines. Their differing backgrounds and experiences express the full range of combat soldiery. Challenged by unemployment, rape, child abuse, homelessness, suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol addiction and more, what we witness through them is an emotional hurricane. Though at times terrifying, shocking, and emotionally wrenching, their stories of transformation ultimately prove tremendously uplifting, filled with humor and spirit, buoyed all the more by the expansive hearts of the men and women who serve them.
“Veterans are the light at the tip of the candle, illuminating the way for the whole nation.
If Veterans can achieve awareness, transformation, understanding and peace, they can share with the rest of society the realities of war.
And they can teach us how to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again.”
-Thich Nhat Han
RECENT INTERVIEW
WATCH FILMS
Full Veterans Journey Home Series
This five film series tells a different kind of “Hero’s Journey” than the one the public is used to. This journey requires a different kind of bravery, not facing bullets and IEDs, but facing tears of anguish and loss, facing acceptance of extreme fear, facing rage at betrayal, facing paralyzing self-doubt and shame, facing judgments of self-hatred – requiring a willingness to face trauma in all its forms, regardless of source, and to use it as a vehicle for growth.
Kalani’s Story
(30 min)
Marine Captain Kalani Creutzburg experiences transformation through emotionally authentic healing circles.
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SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES
Solutions (15 min)
The philosophical underpinning to the entire five-film series. The greatest minds highlight community-based, non-medicalized solutions for Veterans returning home.
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SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES
On Black Mountain
(49 min)
22 women Veterans learn the tools of meditation and sensory awareness to confront military sexual trauma and the ghosts of war, regrounding themselves in sisterhood and community.
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SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES
Ben’s Story (53 min)
A former Army Paratrooper and sniper, challenged by suicidal ideation, divorce, and alcoholism, fights to reconnect with his family and resume a place of leadership in civilian society.
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SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES
Leaving it on the Land
(80 min)
12 suicidal Veterans undergo an ancient 12 day Vision Fast ceremony – out in the wilderness with minimal shelter, fasting, alone – seeking transformation.
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SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES
COLLABORATORS
We highlight some of the best organizations serving Vets today: Healing Warrior Hearts, Cammies and Canines, Veteran Rites, Veterans Path, and others. Audiences and Veterans themselves learn that there are multiple non-medicalized, non-pathologizing support and healing modalities available to them. No one program or modality is better or worse than another. One size does not fit all. The key is that each Veteran finds his or her way to getting whatever support they need to free themselves from a mindset of service to accepting a new role of leadership in civilian society.
