BS05970963
WELCOME, THE: A HEALING JOURNEY FOR WAR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Directed by Kim Shelton

The Welcome offers a rare and fiercely intimate view of a diverse group of veterans and family members, from Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq - all suffering from the effects of PTSD - who come together to participate in an unusual healing retreat.

The retreat is facilitated by renowned Mythologist and story teller, Michael Meade, who incorporates stories and rituals from various cultures into the healing process. Through extensive testimonials, group discussions and poetry writing sessions, veterans share their experiences and memories and together attempt to heal. The retreat culminates with the veterans presenting this poetry to a large civilian audience on Memorial Day.

Across genders, ethnicities and generations, The Welcome offers diverse and powerful accounts of war experiences and life after war. While white female soldiers recall the sexism they faced, a Native American woman army vet struggles to find her place in the all-white group. Vietnam vets counsel young soldiers on furlough as they prepare to return for another tour, and family members struggle to understand the reasons for their conflicted lives.

This documentary is an artful and gripping account of the struggles veterans face in finding their way home, as well as a powerful example of the essential role of the civilian community in working with the psychological and social issues in the aftermath of war.

Reviews
~ "A powerful reminder that, even after all these years, it is never too late to embrace our veterans" - The Huffington Post

~ "Powerfully positive and brimming with hope." - David Templeton, The Pacific Sun

~ "The Welcome' should be viewed in every community across this nation." - Shad Meshad, Founder, National Veterans Foundation

Awards
~ Winner, Feature Documentary - Ashland Independent Film Festival
~ Audience Favorite Award, Feature Documentary - Mill Valley Film Festival
~ Best Dramatic Documentary, US - Docufest Atlanta
~ Interfaith Award, Feature Documentary - St. Louis International Film Festival
~ Winner, Best Film - The Western Psychological Association Film Festival
DVD
93 minutes
2011
 
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