‘Brothers At War’ Matters

It’s a little surprising to look back and realize I’ve been complaining whining pouting crying bitching moaning writing about the insidious effects of left-wing Hollywood on both our culture and the art form of film itself for a few years now. Watching conservatives catch up a bit in the political documentary department has been encouraging, but if someone were to ask, “What do you want?” My response would be, “Brothers at War.”

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As we’ve seen with John Ziegler’s important and well-made “Media Malpractice,” there’s a place and need for the political documentary, both on the left and right, but when it comes to the art of telling a story through film, that’s not the end game, it’s merely the opening kickoff. Though a documentary, “Brothers at War” is a reminder of what the goal line looks like.

Change, if I may use that term, will only come when fresh, talented filmmakers use their passion to seek truth through the art of telling a story. Whether that’s done through documentary or narrative doesn’t matter. “Truth” is what matters. “Story” is what matters. Exposing and deconstructing liberal Hollywood serves a purpose, but it’s playing defense. We need artists.

Jake Rademacher is an artist – a first time filmmaker who used the art of film to find the truth and tell the story of three brothers who loved each other but had a hard time being friends.  His story may be set in Iraq, but the power of it is that it could have been set anywhere. The themes and ideas that drive Rademacher transcend war and politics and agenda.

But what comes from an unflinching look at the story of three brothers is a stirring truth about the extraordinary men and women who serve this country and offer their lives for those they’ve never met. And no matter how well-intentioned, no matter how honorable, no matter how professionally crafted, no filmmaker who set out to document the valor of the United States Military could do it as well as Rademacher because that’s not what he set out to do, but it is what he found.

Those of you who believe in what this site and our contributors stand for can relate to the idea that constantly opposing something is frustrating and exhausting, with “Brothers at War” something has come along that we can and should support.

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For information on how to bring ”Brothers at War” to a theatre near you, please visit the website. 

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Gabe Ledeen’s insightful review is here. And here are the links to a Politico story and a Ain’t It Cool News interview with Rademacher and producer Gary Sinise.

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Below is the film’s current release schedule:

3/13/2009

• Columbus, GA (near Fort Benning), Carmike 15 – http://www.carmike.com/
• Fayetteville, NC (near Fort Bragg), Carmike 12 – http://www.carmike.com/
• Jacksonville, NC (near Camp LeJeune), Carmike 16 – http://www.carmike.com/
• Chicago, IL AMC River East – AMC – http://www.amctheatres.com/
• Washington DC Landmark E Street Cinema – Landmark Theatres – http://landmarktheatres.com/
• Arlington, VA AMC Shirlington – AMC – http://www.amctheatres.com/

3/20/2009

• Akron (Ohio National Guard), Regal Interstate Park 18 – Regal Cinemas – http://regalcinemas.com/

3/27/2009

• Augusta, GA (near Fort Gordon, US Army)
• Savannah, GA (near Fort Stewart, US Army), Coming Soon
• Shreveport, LA (near Barksdale AFB, US Air Force) Cinemark Tinseltown 17 – http://www.cinemark.com/
• Clarksville, TN (near Fort Campbell, US Army) Carmike Governor’s Square 10 – Carmike – http://www.carmike.com/
• Hampton, VA (near Langley AFB, US Air Force), AMC Hampton Towne Center 24 – AMC – http://www.amctheatres.com/
• Newport News, VA (near Fort Eustis, US Army), AMC Kiln Creek 20 – AMC – http://www.amctheatres.com/
• Norfolk, VA (near Norfolk Naval Station, US Navy), Coming Soon
• Killeen, TX (near Fort Hood), Hollywood Stadium 14 – Hollywood Theaters – http://gohollywood.com/
• San Antonio, TX – Bijou at the Crossroads – Santikos – http://www.santikos.com/
• Cleveland Heights (Ohio National Guard), Cedar Lee Cinema
• Dayton (near Wright-Patterson AFB, US Air Force), Regal Hollywood 20-Fairfield Commons – Regal Cinemas – http://regalcinemas.com/
• Decatur, IL Carmike Hickory Pointe 12 – Carmike – http://www.carmike.com/
• Tacoma, WA (near Fort Lewis), Coming Soon
• Oceanside, CA (near Camp Pendleton) Regal Oceanside 16 – http://regalcinemas.com/
• Monterey, CA (near Presidio of Monterrey, DOD), Osio Cinema