A new documentary that was executive produced by award-winning actor Gary Sinise examines the difficult battle veterans face after returning home from war.
Directed by Jake Rademacher, “Brothers After War” chronicles the emotional journeys of more than a dozen veterans, including the filmmaker’s brothers, Isaac and Joe Rademacher, as they transition from the battlefield to civilian life.
“Brothers After War” serves as a follow-up to Jake Rademacher’s acclaimed film “Brothers At War.”
In the 2009 documentary, the director embedded himself in American military units stationed in Iraq between 2005 and 2007 to better understand the sacrifices his younger brothers made while fighting in the war.
“Jake Rademacher embarks on a powerful journey to reconnect with his brothers and the elite Soldiers and Marines he embedded with during the height of the Iraq War,” a synopsis for the sequel reads. “Intercutting wartime footage with present-day reunions and moments of humor, the film sheds light on the struggles of veterans: including loss, PTSD, and depression; while offering a message of meaning, connection, and hope.”
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Jake Rademacher said the film will allow audiences to “see, hear, and feel” the riveting trials and tribulations of military veterans as they confront the traumas of war.
“I was there in combat for the bullets flying and when soldiers were injured or lost,” the director shared, recalling the time he spent with his brothers in Iraq. “Since that time, I have worked with more than 40,000 service members and their families to help them journal about and discuss their experiences overseas and back home. That was the starting point of ‘Brothers After War.’”
Jake Rademacher said the documentary, which was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, provides an intimate look into the lives of those who have served, giving veterans a platform to openly express their true feelings.
“This shared context creates connection, communication, empathy, understanding, and community,” he explained, noting that he’s already gotten meaningful feedback about the film.
“A veteran told me that ‘Brothers After War’ made him feel like he wasn’t alone. That he wasn’t broken. That it was okay to be vulnerable.
‘Brothers After War’
The newly released documentary was sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit organization Sinise established in 2011 to provide support to wounded veterans.The actor rose to fame in 1994, playing Lt. Dan Taylor in the film “Forrest Gump,” which is based on Winston Groom’s 1986 bestselling novel of the same name.
In the film, which won the Academy Award for “Best Picture” in 1995, Taylor loses both of his legs while serving as Gump’s platoon leader during the Vietnam War.
After battling depression, alcoholism, and post-traumatic stress, Taylor ultimately finds happiness and contentment by the end of the film.
Jake Rademacher’s documentary explores similar themes of resilience and perseverance, offering hope to veterans as they re-acclimate to civilian life.
“Seeing your story in another’s lets you know you are not alone,” the director said. “‘Brothers After War’ has humor and presents veterans in a 360-degree context. In addition to showcasing the battle on the home front, the veterans share their solutions and successes too. In the end, the film leaves us with hope, that like Lt. Dan, these veterans are moving on to the next phase of their life.”
“We want them to know that there’s a way to share their stories. Their stories are important,” he told the news outlet on Feb. 22. “And I think by seeing this film and seeing the veterans in this film sharing their stories on camera for the world to see, it’s going to be very, very encouraging for somebody who may just need to talk about something but hasn’t been able to do it.”
The actor said the new documentary also helps to bridge the divide between civilians and the military community.
“There’s a big disconnect between the average American who doesn’t have a relationship to anybody in the military and our military, the people that actually serve our country,” Sinise said. “So maybe ‘Brothers After War’ can help bridge that disconnect. That’s what we hope.”
