"Return" : A Film by Stan Parker and Pete Tolton
We believe in giving more than we receive. "Return": A Film by Stan Parker and Pete Tolton, is a project that we've recently contributed to.
About a year ago, retired green beret officer Jim Markel Sr., accompanied by his son, Jim Markel, Jr., went to Vietnam to retrace his steps, share his untold stories with his son, treat his PTSD, and reconnect with the mountain tribes he grew so close to during his time embedded with them.
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War stories are, at once, both universal and deeply personal. While the weight carried by combat veterans forges a common bond between them, that weight, too, forces a gulf between them and those who were not there.
About one in ten Montanans is a veteran—more, per capita, than most other states. Of Montana vets, nearly 80 percent served in combat. Experiences from these conflicts are everywhere, but so often, as friends and family members of those who served, we find ourselves searching for the right way to honor them.
How can we show that we’re willing to listen, without prying into painful memories? When does catharsis turn to retraumatization? How do we, on one hand, genuinely receive their stories, while on the other, keep a thoughtful and critical eye toward the politics that wrote the plot?
These questions and more have been on our minds as we create a feature-length documentary about a local Vietnam War veteran embarking on the adventure of a lifetime while working through the burdens of his own past.
About a year ago, retired green beret officer Jim Markel Sr., accompanied by his son, Jim Markel, Jr., went to Vietnam to retrace his steps, share his untold stories with his son, treat his PTSD, and reconnect with the mountain tribes he grew so close to during his time embedded with them.
We captured every step of their journey on film, and we are now holed up in our editing pad at Billings Open Studio downtown, transforming 125 hours of raw footage into a compelling, thoughtful documentary. The story to come carries with it the promise of a captivating adventure tale, an introduction to a far-off culture, a testimony on living with PTSD, a reflection on the reason for war, and a story of a father and son on a hopeful, if heavy, journey.
If all goes according to plan, we will have a watchable version of this exciting adventure tale done this summer. As filmmakers, perhaps our favorite way to share films is through community screenings, and we’re especially excited to host them for this project. There’s something special about watching movies together with people — the shared experience sparks unique, spontaneous discussion and community connection.
You can keep up with our progress at https://beartoothfilms.com/return. We also hope to give you an update in these pages closer to the release date with details on how to join us for these screenings. Until then, please feel free to drop us a line!
— Stan Parker & Peter Tolton, “Return”
team@beartoothfilms.com
