Working on the PR team, we were anxious to see how it would be received. The past month had passed quickly as we prepared for not only this evening, but for all others to follow, including the opening dates. The reason to get the word out is for the soldiers --not just these ones, but for all the men and women who serve around the world.
This is a small film, and the making of it was fully funded by Tim and Sebastian so they could have total editorial control. They put everything into it including taking on debt. Tim said he lives in a simple apartment with a bed, chairs, a table and not much else. So while they had won the highest accolade at Sundance, they didn't have much leverage to take it beyond the Film Festival circuit. Fortunately, National Geographic Entertainment took a bold move in April.
In the business end of filmmaking --distribution is everything. Now, thanks to Nat Geo, there are sneak previews, press days, interviews, and opening dates. Because of corporations who believe: Lockheed Martin, HealthNet and Southwest Airlines --there is a small budget for the filmmakers to travel and talk to the audience. Thanks to OCPA-West, The USMC Motion Picture and Television Liaison Unit, and to AAFES, the movie will be able to be booked on camps and forts in the USA (but only if soldiers demand it). Groups like
IAVA, The Soldier's Project, Soldier's Angels, the
NY State Museum, and blogs like Tankerbabe, Blackfive and Bouhammer --and countless others who have written about it, help fill the screenings, get the buzz going, and encourage people to see it.
It takes a lot of people to push a film. This is just the beginning. Films like Restrepo are made with an unflagging belief that what they are doing may not be commercially typical, but it's important. No movie star, no one falling in love. It may be a small film, but it packs a wallop.
Starting 2 July, the film will make its way across the country, booked into theaters by demand ...and into the "hearts and minds" of the American public.
Phone calls and emails have been sent, so many interviews, press days schedule. Outreach has been made to military support groups, active duty and veterans. Each day has felt like a month. This was the first of three screenings to be held this week here in L.A. The PR campaign follow up with this weekend in Chicago, Ft. Hood, and D.C. Then to Boston, Albany, Ft. Benning and Ft. Campbell. This is a critical time.
And so, back to L.A. We had a quick dinner last night prior to the screening. We weren't sure who would come. A war documentary definitely has a target audience. It is not a date movie, and no one falls in love. We hoped they would make good on their RSVPs and come. We walked over to the theater, lugging a sign, postcards, and sat down at a table. Waiting. But not for long.
They came. Wearing caps identifying them by war --Vietnam, Gulf war, Korea; by pins, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry; and by organization,
Operation Gratitude, the
USO,
Blue Star Mothers. Dr. Judith Broder, a hero of mine, who started
The Soldier's Project arrived with her husband. I finally met Barbara Winkler from
Quilts of Valor. It was good to put a name to a face. She and her husband and four other quilters drove from the valley and Long Beach. The So Cal quilters have made over 900 quilts to give to veterans and active duty who are touched by war. They wanted to see what the men who they make these quilts go through --though really, I think they already knew. One interesting side note: Barbara brought 46 quilts to hand off to her fellow quilter to take to the V.A. in nearby West L.A. A supporter's work is never done.
Debora George from
Wire-A-Cake introduced herself. Debora's company does an amazing thing. They bake cakes that fit so snugly into tins, that they arrive intact to combat zones.
The OCPA-West (Public Affairs) team from the US Army. Chief (and West Point Grad) Ken Hawes, and his team were there. SFC Anthony Cotton, who is a more than capable PR person will be retiring in 17 months. Where is he going? "I'm staying right here." The studio who hires him will be very, very lucky indeed.
I have to call the next group, hero-parents. There were parents of soldiers who came as well. I couldn't help but think that sitting through this movie while their beloveds were deployed had to have been really tough.
Armed Liberal, aka Marc Danziger, whose son Big Guy is in Arghandab, and
Susan Mallet-Rodgers was there. Susan is the Blue to Gold Liaison with the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. 2LT James Pahng, just out of West Point came with his father. Though no doubt, his father is very proud of his son, sitting through the movie and having the natural thought of his own son in war, could not have been easy. I can already see his sleepless nights starting.
The movie played, the images of the young men, their words, and actions unfurled on the screen. It is a movie that holds viewers rapt, and almost everyone stayed in their seats. There was no shuffling out to get more popcorn, no jujubees. For 94 minutes the audience was transfixed. They laughed at all the right moments, cried, and when it was over they were ready with questions and comments.
The best comment of the evening was from the man who stood up and said that now when he sees Afghanistan on the news, his mind will come back to this movie and see these men. He added that anyone anti-war and did not support the troops was wrong. Others echoed similar thoughts.
There is always one person who wants the movie to be something more. One gentleman had problem with the word insurgents. "These people are on their land, fighting for their land, and we are occupying it," he said. Those of us sitting behind him noticed a large button on the back of his cap which said 'End the occupation now bring our troops home.'
Quite frankly, even I knew he was wrong. There have always been outside forces in Afghanistan, from the time of Alexander, Gehnghis Khan, the Brits, and Russians and even the Taliban. Tim pointed out that many of the fighters are from other countries --Pakistan, Yemen --"Insurgents is absolutely the correct word." he replied. As for what he and Junger were trying to achieve, he told the audience that this country is terribly divided by politics. They simply wanted to show a film about what combat was like for one group of men. It's not about generals talking about strategy, or Colonels telling about how they implement it, Restrepo is about the soldiers who serve below them who have little say about the day to day fight they are in. By putting aside politics, we can share their experience --and hopefully start the discussion.
Many in the audience agreed. In fact, put six quilters around a quilt, seven cookie or cake bakers in a kitchen together, box packers, singers for the USO, and you will find individuals who look beyond politics and work wholeheartedly to support the troops. In a sense, Hetherington and Junger have done the same.
At the end of the evening, I went onstage and presented Tim with a challenge coin for excellence. I like to give them to people who do good things for the men and women who serve. It reads:
"Tim Hetherington, Photographer, Warrior & Friend." 
Poet Mary Oliver with her Dog Percy
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