“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
On Veterans Day weekend, join Bay Area filmmaker Frederick Marx (Hoop Dreams, Journey from Zanskar) and special guests for a compelling weekend of films, discussions, and participatory Q&As on healing and personal growth.
The five stand-alone films in the Veterans Journey Home series, all produced between 2019 and 2021 and presented here in three distinct programs, are documentaries that explore the challenges that hundreds of thousands of returning servicemen and women face to reenter the society they left in heeding the call to service for their country.
Each of the films represents an opportunity to mindfully explore achievable solutions to America’s deeper issues of senseless violence, isolation, and lack of self-worth. Though the films are about veterans, their stories form a microcosm of us all. Join us and be moved.
Director Frederick Marx will be in attendance at all three shows, along with subjects from the films and guest experts on PTSD and ritual healing.
ADMISSION: $12.50 General | $9. Senior • Youth • Matinée | $7 CFI Members
PROGRAM ONE
FRIDAY, NOV. 11 • 7:15
In this special Veterans Day screening, Solutions offers the philosophical underpinning to the entire series, as experts spotlight best practices in community-based, non-medical solutions for veterans returning home. In On Black Mountain, 22 women veterans transform themselves through a four-month meditation and mindfulness-based healing retreat in Sonoma County. Film 70 min. plus discussion.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
FREDERICK MARX – Filmmaker
JOHN CRARY – Executive Producer
LEE LESSER – Founder, Veterans Path; Key Participant in both films
Six Women Participants from the ON BLACK MOUNTAIN film
PROGRAM TWO
SATURDAY, NOV. 12 • 4:15
In Ben’s Story, 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. In Kalani’s Story , a Marine captain experiences transformation through emotionally authentic healing circles. Film 83 minutes plus discussion.
SPECIAL GUEST:
FREDERICK MARX – Filmmaker
JOHN CRARY – Executive Producer
BEN SINGLETON – Film Subject
EFRAIN SCOTT – Veteran, Policy Staff at Swords to Plowshares
GERARD CHOUCRON – Executive Director, Hearts and Armor
PROGRAM THREE
SUNDAY, NOV. 13 • 4:15
Leaving It on the Land studies transformation for a cohort of Veterans who struggle with suicidal ideation as they undertake an ancient 12-day fasting ceremony in the Coulee desert region of Washington. Alone for four days and nights with no contact with the outside world and minimal shelter, our four key subjects record private conversations and reflections on GoPro cameras as their journey leads them to a clearer sense of who they are and where they belong as civilians. Film 80 minutes plus discussion.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
FREDERICK MARX – Filmmaker”
JOHN CRARY – Executive Producer
EFRAIN SCOTT – Veteran, Policy Staff at Swords to Plowshares
GERARD CHOUCRON – Executive Director, Hearts and Armor
MARK ORAVSKY – Founder Veteran Rites, Key Participant
RYAN MIELCAREK – Co-Founder Veteran Rites; Participant
JASON LESSER – Composer
