Military.com has an item today about a new movie, Soldier's Heart, by actor and Vietnam veteran, Brian Delate. In Military.com's blurb about their interview with Delate they say, "Vietnam veteran and accomplished actor Brian Delate has released his vision of the challenges facing warriors upon their return in his movie "Soldier's Heart." At a time where a handful of films are being released about the wars and the challenges faced by soldiers, from thoughtful documentaries, to bigger-budget Hollywood treatments for a mass audience, a movie like Delate's -- ostensibly, from someone who knows -- should be a welcome addition. PTSD is a timely topic, and who better to tell the story than a veteran who's struggled with it himself, as Delate says that he has. Sounds very promising, and relatable - and likely to make a difference.
The promotional material about the movie -- which looks like it could have used some help in the copywriting department -- is as follows:
"PTSD - sometimes you don't know you have it until your life falls apart. Elliot (James Kiberd), a Vietnam vet with PTSD has held it together until participation in a documentary about the Vietnam War causes unacknowledged feelings about his experience as a soldier to surface, threatening his marriage to Linda (Cady McClain), alienating his best friend, Richie (Brian Delate) and damaging his career. In this journey of the heart, PTSD forces Elliot to re-design his blueprint for living with courage and some humor as the truth of his war experience emerges, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of himself as a veteran, his father as a World War II vet, Richie as a Vietnam vet, and to forge a stronger bond with Linda."
"Finally, a unique film about veterans as told by a veteran -- Soldier's Heart is about Vietnam vet Elliot's waking up to the present and his journey to a deeper self-acceptance -- with regard to the long term effects (PTSD) from the war and his relationships to his family, wife and friends. Writer/Director and Vietnam veteran Brian Delate is also a veteran actor of film, stage and television. If you are a veteran -- from any war or you know a veteran, this is a must-see movie."
A link to the film is here. A link to the podcast on Military.com, where writer/director (and actor) Brian Delate talks about his own war experiences, including how he dealt with his PTSD, is here.
Editor's note: Though similarly titled, this film is not the same as the PBS show on Frontline, called "The Soldier's Heart," which we blogged about earlier, here.
