Enriching, powerful and confronting, My Father’s Brothers is filmmaker Shawn Kelley’s love letter to his own father, a former soldier whose airborne company found themselves outnumbered in the jungle during the Vietnam War.
A multiple best documentary award-winning film, My Father’s Brothers focuses on one pivotal day in American history that affected the lives of 140 soldiers. On June 29, 1966, surrounded and outnumbered 10-to-1 in the dense Vietnam jungle, an army platoon is savagely attacked while they wait for reinforcements from their company. 50 years later, survivors tell their story of tragedy, resourcefulness and heroism. Some volunteered for the army as teenagers. Others were drafted. Some went back to Vietnam years later in hopes of finding closure and peace. All share a bond that cannot be broken.
What a powerful film. When did you come up with the idea— something that’s always been bubbling away?
My dad would rarely talk about his two tours in Vietnam. And he’s not the type to talk about himself. The older I got, the more curious I became about what he went through. During a long car trip with just him and me, I figured I had a captive audience. So, I said, “hey, let’s talk about you. Tell me about your 20 years in the army.” I figured I would know most of the things he said, but I was wrong. That led me to start asking about details of his time in combat. The idea for the film came a few months later.
You work in advertising, I believe, so making a film isn’t too big of a jump!?
Being a creative director at an ad agency, I work with a lot of filmmakers, so I knew just enough about making a film to be dangerous. I realized early on with this doc that making a film is harder than I thought it would be. But the story was so important, I kept pressing on. Fortunately, I have some very talented and passionate filmmaker friends that came on the journey with me. I cannot thank them enough.
Where did you start? Talking to others? Rounding up material? I imagine that was an exhaustive component of the process?
After my dad agreed to be interviewed, we made plans to attend his unit’s reunion, which was several months later. I worked with him on details of the battle so I could be better prepared, including trips to the National Archives in College Park, Maryland for after action reports on the battle as well as sources of b-roll. I interviewed my dad several times before I interviewed the survivors in his unit, but I wasn’t really getting the story I was hoping for. During my prep, I read a lot of material about the Vietnam War, including a novel called, Matterhorn, by Karl Marlantes. That blew me away. It made me realize that going on patrol as an 18-year-old kid far from home must have been bewildering and utterly terrifying. And having a commanding officer who was only several years older – it gets you thinking. Since I’ve never been in combat, I wanted to know more about how it all worked. That framework helped me to start asking the right questions.
Harrowing even thinking about what these men, your father included, went through. How did they – or did they? – get past the event?
The survivors of June 29, 1966 battle have all struggled in some way or another. One of the veterans in the film has slept upright in a chair ever since then. Some have talked to counselors. My mom told me that when I was very young, my dad would start screaming in his sleep. That went away over the years, but she recently told me he had started it again – making this film brought back some painful memories. That was unexpected and painful for me to hear.
Since we started this film, I’ve attended four 173rd Airborne reunions with my dad. Those events can be very therapeutic for the veterans. They’re with their brothers, so they’re at ease. There are no judgements. And talking provides a lot of healing.
Did you learn more about your father as a result of working on the movie?
When I think I’ve had a bad day at work, I quickly remind myself it’s nothing compared to a bad day he had. It’s still hard for me to imagine that when he was in his 20’s, he was commanding 140 men in the jungles of Vietnam during life-or-death situations. When I see him now, I see a kind and giving man with a very funny sense of humor. I learned a lot about my dad during the making of this film. And our relationship has become much closer.
Was anyone not willing to talk for the doc?
There were. I respect any veteran that chooses not to talk about time in combat. One of the vets in the film was about to back out at the last minute. I’m so glad he changed his mind. He told me this whole process has been good for him. And I’m proud to now call him my friend.
Would you consider making a narrative film based on the event?
While I’m more comfortable in the documentary space, I’ve considered approaching some filmmakers about making this story into a narrative film. It’s a survival story about tragedy, determination, and triumph. And I think it has unique qualities that would translate well into narrative piece.
Who would play your father in the film, if you had your pick?
Liam Hemsworth! He has a great commanding presence on screen that I think would translate well into the role of a young army captain during a horrific battle in the dense jungles of Vietnam.
MY FATHER’S BROTHERS is now On DVD AND Digital from Passion River