The First Annual GI Film Festival, Washington D.C.
by Cheryl Felicia Rhoads

Just before Memorial Day last year, I relocated to Washington D.C., and a far different world than I was used to. Now, I regularly see military men and women on a daily basis and I always make it my business to say "Thank you for your service." Though my family members have served, I'm only a veteran of Hollywood. Still, as a patriotic actress and writer inhabiting that cultural combat arena for twenty years, I felt that was a warfront too. Back in the Hollywood of the 1940s, most put politics aside in those perilous times and served in the military themselves. Today the notion of sacrifice for freedom is as foreign to many there now as the Canne Film Festival is to average Americans. But, I felt renewed hope when another show biz pal told me he was coming to D.C. to be on a panel for the first annual GI FILM FESTIVAL.

Then, later at the festival, when country western singer Michael Peterson performed his moving song "I Remember, America." my friend, director Jonathan Flora, beamed, "It's like a living Norman Rockwell painting!"

Wait - a singer at a film festival? Well yes, in showcasing movies, discussion panels, awards, directors, actors and yes - singers, GI FILM FESTIVAL founders Brandon Millet and his wife, Army Reservist Laura Law-Millet, had a unique concept. Initially the Millets were surprised to find that among hundreds of film festivals held each year, not one specifically focused on the military. So the GI Film Festival was born and the Millets launched their inaugural effort to honor the armed forces this past weekend.

Held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, this festival had plenty of competition in the nation's capitol during the busy holiday weekend. Still, with excited anticipation, people began arriving last Friday night. In waiting for things to get underway, we heard a recording of the entertainment patron saint of servicemen, the late Bob Hope. At one point he interviews a soldier. Ironically, the young man laments that Americans had seemingly forgotten Pearl Harbor. (Sound familiar?) Meanwhile, multiple-choice quizzes on the military projected on to the screen. And if you didn't know that GI stands for Government Issue - that fact and many others permeated one's consciousness throughout the weekend.

Guided by prominent advisory committees and sponsored by support organizations and corporate entities, a weekend highlight was a VIP reception with celebrity Gary Sinise. The actor has contributed much to service men and women and has helped Iraqi school children. So, he was presented with the GI Spirit Award, designed to honor the Hollywood luminary who best embodies the spirit of the American GI. Furthermore, that evening, Sinise and all in attendance were touched when Blue Star Mother Angela Lashley, whose son Jon is serving in Iraq, performed her song "So Brave," which expresses her love for all the troops who are serving their country. The proceeds of that incredible event benefited disabled American Veterans.

As for the slate of films, one of my favorites was a documentary by Steven Karras and Rose Lizarraga called About Face. In a series of interviews, they told the tale of thousands of young Jewish immigrants fleeing Germany and Austria in the early days of Hitler's regime, who returned to confront their oppressors as American GI's and British Tommies in World War II.

Inspired by the passing of the previously mentioned U.S.O. perennial Bob Hope, comic Jeffrey Ross created his documentary, Patriot Act. Discovering new meaning in his life and career, he filmed his trip to Iraq, joining Drew Carey and other comedians in "delivering punch-lines on the front lines." Then Bob McMahon presented The Tuskegee Airmen: On Freedom's Wings, Bound for Glory. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American aviation units who played a pivotal role in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War Two.

Especially moving was actor James McEachin's documentary short titled Reville, which featured a Navy veteran and an Army veteran competing in a game of one upmanship in a retirement community.

There were many more films and events too numerous to list in one article. However, GI Festival award winners included McEachin's other documentary short Old Glory. Other winners were Shakey's Hill, a documentary where a cameraman followed a battalion of American soldiers into the Cambodian jungle, and Divergence, a narrative feature about the return of a wounded soldier from Iraq who finds love with a mysterious woman. As well as being tributes to various branches and eras of the military, each exemplified superb story-telling.

The festival also included live appearances, as with former Marine turned actor, R. Lee Ermey of the History Channel's Mail Call. Reminiscent of his Sergeant's role in Full Metal Jacket, Ermy barked commands to delighted audience members as if they were new recruits. Then, there was another soldier turned performer, USMC Captain (Ret.) Dale Dye, who is considered the go-to guy advisor for dozens of films like Saving Private Ryan. Dye introduced the amazing 2005 feature film The Great Raid, and also participated earlier in a panel titled Hollywood and the Military, which was hosted by Movieguide publisher Dr. Ted Baehr. That discussion also featured celebrity directors John Dahl (The Great Raid) and Ron Maxwell (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals). Maxwell made a Herculean effort in flying in from the more famous Canne festival to participate.. Executive Producer, Lou Reda (Vietnam: Homecoming) and director/producer Jonathan Flora added to the lively observations as well.

Speaking again of Flora, he served in the U.S. Army’s 82d Airborne Division, and was also a member of the National Guard. Fittingly, there was both a documentary and song titled For Our Country: Ballad of the National Guard that featured the talents of the legendary Pat Boone. Boone then performed live with the terrific singing group VALOR.

Later, VALOR, composed of John Laws, Paul David Kennamer, and Benjamin Dixon, with Kelly Mowrer accompanying on piano and keyboards, performed on their own. Ultimately, this latter act personified the heart of the GI FILM FESTIVAL as they concluded the entire event with Lee Greenwood's inspiring song God Bless the U.S.A. (I'm Proud To Be An American). VALOR's rendition simply soared. They seemed to also musically express the sentiments of some of those who had no previous personal contact with the military, like attendee Kristine Cornils, who declared that the festival was "life changing." She was not alone, because as an ex-patriot of Hollywood, I felt encouraged by the efforts of all those that were involved on both coasts.

While only Laura Law-Millet is a veteran, she and her husband, Brandon, equally earned a salute of the soul from those who participated in their tribute this Memorial Day weekend. For in reminding us of the service and sacrifice of our GIs via the powerful venues of film, song, and free speech, we were - and are - proud to be Americans.

For further information and to get in early on the planning for next year's festival, go to www.gifilmfestival.com