Years in the making, Jeff Werner's masterpiece THOSE WHO SERVE compassionately examines every angle of the dramatic experience of three decorated US Marines and their families caught in the US criminal justice system.
Picking up where American Sniper leaves off, and with unprecedented access to the U.S. criminal justice system, filmmaker Jeff Werner's documentary Those Who Serve shines an unflinching light on the issue of veteran mental wellness in our nation's courtrooms.
Streaming for a limited time on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Tubi. With over 188,000 veterans presently incarcerated in our prisons and jails, there are few social issues in America more important than veteran mental wellness. Those Who Serve is a feature length social impact documentary about three Marines whose first diagnosis for post traumatic stress only comes after they commit felony crimes against the communities they once fought to defend.
SHOW BIG MEDIA'S ALGORITHM THAT VETERAN WELLNESS MATTERS!
This invisible, albeit difficult topic, urgently needs to be in the national dialogue. Pay to watch, then stream for free on YouTube. Share our Facebook and Instagram ads with friends and family via your socials. Tell them to watch and share. Heck, let it run in the background of your browser. Whatever it takes to bring this national tragedy to light. With enough support Those Who Serve will be available to thousands of educators through Journeys in Film and remain on more streamers!
SCROLL DOWN TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT!
Movie About Marines with PTSD in the Criminal Justice System to be Featured on Journeys in Film, Available to Thousands of Students Across America
A newsworthy topic on the highly under-reported issue of veteran mental wellness. As a society we must become better aware of the issues so we can respond to the wellness of our valiant veterans before they are in crisis - and what better way than though education?
Films have long been overlooked as an educational tool. According to the Social Sciences Research Network, 30% of the general population are auditory learners and 65% are visual learners. 21st century students are more connected to media than any previous generation. When properly used, films can be a powerful educational tool in developing critical thinking skills and exposure to different perspectives.
Journeys in Film has invited Those Who Serve to become part of its high quality 'edutainment' library which includes the creation of professional lesson plans and discussion guides.
HOW WATCHING OUR FILM HELPS
After watching the film, we ask you assist us in raising the funds necessary to have Those Who Serve available on the Journeys in Film platform. All donations to our GoFundMe are tax deductible, and are returned if we don't meet our goal.
Please reference this hyperlink in your social media posts about the film
https://t.ly/Ks3Va
SCREENING PANEL
- Jeff Werner, Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker, (The Woodmans and Heart of Nuba)
- Dr Cynthia Boyd, Veterans Neuropsychologist (in film)
- Brock Hunter, Veteran, Criminal Defense Attorney, Co-Chair Military Justice Committee, American Bar Association (in film)
- Jim Zenner, LA County, Director of Military & Veterans Affairs
- Jennifer Fischer, Executive Director, Journeys in Film
- Bill Paparian, Veteran & Former Criminal Defense Attorney, Special Veterans Court (in film)
- Mark Stillion, Marine combat veteran whose story is depicted in film, now candidate for his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and counselor for WildOps.
For questions please contact: frank@herobridgeLA.org or lindsay@jcipr.com
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Feel Free to Quote!
“Excellent film and really strong depiction of what too many service members go through while deployed and when back home... an incredible job.” Jeremy Butler - CEO of IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
“Jeff Werner's film is fabulous in demonstrating why the criminal justice system needs to hone in even more in its treatment of combat veterans.” The Honorable Eileen Moore - instrumental in establishing the Veterans Court program in California
“This film is especially thought provoking and forces a reaction from the viewer. It demands that we re-examine what America’s moral obligation is to its returning veteran population.” Scott Tirocchi – Director Justice for Vets
"This film portrays the unfortunate reality for too many of our nation’s heroes and offers three real-life tragic examples of what happens in our court rooms every week in this country. The film explores those very issues in a compelling and heart wrenching manner and will raise awareness of this important issue." Jim Seward, Council on Criminal Justice, Director, National Veterans Justice Commission
"This entertaining and educational documentary is brilliant in the way it weaves a complex and compelling story, bringing in the variety of perspectives from veterans, their families, the victims, lawyers and advocates from both sides. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was more films like this and platforms to talk about them." Caroline Jacoby, Center for Communications, Johns Hopkins University.
"This is difficult storytelling. This is necessary storytelling." Frank Connelly, producer of Those Who Serve, on the PTSD and Beyond Podcast
“Our veterans have sacrificed all to protect our nation here at home and abroad. Veteran suicide prevention and mental health accessibility remain top priorities of mine in Congress. While we’ve made progress, our work is not done. It’s critical that America’s veterans get the help and support they deserve. For a grateful nation can never say thank you enough.” Congressman Jim Costa, keynote speaker and host of the Those Who Serve Screening at the Congressional Theater, US Capitol, Washington DC
"Without a doubt the most important film we have screened at American Legion Hollywood Post 43." - Karl Risigner, Commander Post 43
"It's time we all take a pledge to serve those who served." - quote from Those Who Serve
"We started following these stories 9 years ago but the wheels of justice grind slowly so I hoped that we might nudge them a bit by shining a light on this seldom discussed issue in our justice system. We owe our veterans every consideration they deserve." Those Who Serve Filmmaker, Jeff Werner