At Ft. Carson Global War on Terrorism Fallen Soldiers' Memorial - (left to right) BG Jim Pasquarette, Steave Barness, Wilmer Valderrama, America Ferrera, Ryan Piers Williams, Ryan O'Nan, Will Stoller-Lee, Garrison Commander Col Robert McLaughlin

THE DRY LAND PREMIERE PROMOTES CONVERSATION

On July 1st, Fuller Theological Seminary in Colorado hosted the Colorado premiere of THE DRY LAND, the final film in the summer 2010 Windrider Film Forum.  In addition to an evening screening open to the public, the film screened at Ft Carson, the first time it was ever shown at a military installation in the U.S.  Director, Ryan Piers Williams, and cast members America Ferrera, Ryan O’Nan, and Wilmer Valderrama were on hand for a Q&A session following both screenings.

Q & A Session at Stargazers Theatre - (left to right) Lt Col Dr. Erin Wilkinson, Ryan Piers Williams, Wilmer Valderrama, Ryan O'Nan, America Ferrera, and Will Stoller-Lee

The Windrider Forum creates a unique opportunity for conversation which was highlighted by the events in Colorado Springs.  The filmmakers met up with the Garrison Commander, Col Robert McLaughlin, outside the Main Gate of Ft Carson, followed by a lunch conversation with Post Chaplains, members of the Military and Family Life Consultant Program, and clinical psychologists from the Evans Community Army Hospital.  More than 400 soldiers, vets, and their family members attended the afternoon screening at the McMahon Theater.  The Q&A session following the film was opened with a heartfelt comment from a Master Sergeant who had completed several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan who told the filmmakers that they “nailed it” in terms of the honesty and accuracy of the film.  He also admitted publicly for the first time that he had sought treatment for PTSD and issued a bold and courageous challenge to others in attendance to seek the help they needed. This event illustrated the filmmakers hope to create a film that might remove some of the stigma surrounding PTSD and begin a national conversation about how to find healing for those suffering from the effects of PTSD.

The evening screening highlighted the need to increase public awareness and understanding for the soldiers returning from the war.  This event had the feel of a cross-cultural encounter.  In spite of the significant presence of Ft Carson in the Colorado Springs community (25,000+ soldiers), the general public often has little direct experience with soldiers and their families, or their views are colored by stories in the local press that focus only on the negative.  THE DRY LAND is a rare film that bridges the divide between those who support the war, and those who oppose it, and provides viewers with an experience that breaks down some of the prejudice and misunderstanding they have of soldiers.  During the Q&A many of the questions were directed to the clinical psychologist from Ft Carson, Lt Col Dr Erin Wilkinson, from audience members seeking to understand the personal and community issues surrounding PTSD.  If Colorado Springs is like many other cities in the U.S. we have a long way to go to understand the experience of these soldiers and the challenges we face reintegrating them into the local community.

One additional dynamic that is common at Windrider Forum events is the level of discussion that takes place concerning the spiritual issues raised by films.  One of the chaplains at Ft Carson pointed out during the Q&A that no specific references were made in the film to God, and yet many others found the film to be deeply spiritual.  Independent filmmakers are often our modern day poets who use language that is less obvious to those who are more accustomed to overt references to God and religious faith.  The overarching themes of the film are profoundly religious (suffering, brokenness, sacrificial love, forgiveness, and healing).  And, one of the most poignant scenes in the film includes an acoustic version of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song punctuated by the lyrics “my hand was made strong by the hand of the Almighty . . . won’t you help to sing this song of freedom – redemption song.”  One goal of the Windrider Forum is to help audiences to have the eyes to see these spiritual themes in contemporary films and to find the threads of their own spiritual journey woven into the fabric of the film.

For additional thoughts from the Director, see the filmmaker’s blog below:

http://thedrylandmovie.com/blog/

THE DRY LAND opens on July 30^th, in theaters in LA, NYC and Dallas, and will be released to over 40 cities during the month of August.  Go to www.thedrylandmovie.com for more information about a screening near you.