Happy New Year Online Premiere: Back from Iraq; The Battle Has Just Begun

The War in Iraq is a hot topic amongst politicians, but what about the thousands of families who have tragically lost loved ones?

Happy New Year is a new short film by K. Lorrel Manning, starring Michael Cuomo and William Oliver Watkins, produced by Manning and Cuomo's production company, One Light Left. The film follows "Cole" and "Link" -- best friends who fought together in Iraq -- one chilly New Year's Eve, as they reunite in a VA Hospital to candidly discuss their post-war futures. The film, which originally began as a play, was inspired by a chance encounter with an Iraq vet-turned-police officer who'd returned home feeling completely lost, as if his "future had been taken away." The film focuses on the deep psychological damage of soldiers returning from war, and sheds light on the inadequate care many receive from the VA system once they return.

Inspired by the strong response to the short from veterans, their families, VA personnel, and the general public, we are currently in heavy development on the feature film version. Over the last six months, we've had the opportunity to interview Iraq and Vietnam veterans, speak to VA personnel and family members of fallen soldiers. These interviews, along with the additional research we've done, serve as the backbone to ensuring as much accuracy as possible in the upcoming feature -- the story of a group of men who've all been physically, mentally and spiritually wounded by their time in Iraq. They find humanity, compassion and friendship with one another at a rundown V.A. hospital and find themselves on the road to recovery, but just as their luck starts to change, the ghosts of war re-emerge, leading some down a path of guilt, desperation and self-destruction, while others find a way to continue on.

With the attention of major news outlets (i.e. New York Times, Washington Post, 60 Minutes, etc.) recently dedicating investigative reporting to subjects like the conditions within the VA hospitals, the rise in suicide and homelessness among returning vets, and the personal perils of PTSD, we hope that Happy New Year will bring these issues to the forefront of our country's socio-political consciousness.

Spend 90 seconds with the trailer. If it speaks to you, watch the short. We welcome your comments, and please forward this to anyone who needs to see it. Regardless of your personal politics, this is a human story, inspired by the men and women who are fighting for us. Now they need our help.

For mature audiences only.

Happy New Year trailer:

Happy New Year -- the short:

Happy New Year (the short) premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Upcoming festival screenings include the Nashville (4/23) and Maryland (5/2 & 5/3)) Film Festivals. The film will also be screened in New York City at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on April 22, 2008, followed by a panel discussion with Paul Rieckhoff (IAVA), Paula Rogovin (MFSO), Jim Fallon (VFP) and Michael Tisdale ("Goldstar, Ohio"). Additional NYC screening at the VLA/MoMA Screening Room on May 15, 2008, followed by a panel discussion (special guests tba). To RSVP or for more information on the project and upcoming screenings, visit www.hnyfilm.com.

Comments

[PaulaMFSOBergenCounty]

As soon as you see this powerful play, please forward it to everyone you know. The issue of suicide among troops returning from Iraq is out of the public view. This play brings it center stage. People may see some of the data about PTSD, traumatic brain injuring, and other injuries, but the data represents real people who are struggling, along with their families and friends, with those conditions. Those real people are represented in this play. This play will move people to take action - to demand an end to the funding of the occupation of Iraq, to demand that the troops come home NOW, to demand that they be taken care of when they get here. For more information about Military Families Speak Out, go to www.mfso.org. Bravo to Lorrel Manning and to the actors!
Paula - My son is in his second deployment.

[kristawatterworth]

The subject matter is poignant. The talent is top notch. I've watched the trailer and, having seen some previous work of Michael Cuomo, I'm looking forward to seeing the full length of Happy New Year.

[MisterWyatt]

It's truly unfortunate the Veterans of this country are currently serving multiple terms in Iraq or have served in past wars on behalf of America, yet, when they return home they are racked by various health and mental health issues as well as homelessness. Homelessness??!! It is time for this issue to be treated with the gravity it deserves. Why would anyone join a military that will leave them when they need help the most?

[enocko]

Seeing Happy New Year up close and personal, at the theater production last year, I was blown away. The tension, humor, sobering darkness and emotionally versatile acting made for a great way to tell an important story.

[senatorharts]

Bravo gents! Bravo!

[Pratima]

I've read the script and seen the short. Great project. Can't wait to see the feature.

[joececchini]

Woooow, that was intense! Excellent short. Great acting, shooting etc. And obviously the subject matter at least should be front page every day. Excellent excellent excellent!

[pueblofe]

I agree that this should be on our front pages every day - the US needs to see what's happening to our service people. Sadly, with the Bush-Cheney administration, there is no accountability in any arena. It's time that we demand accountability! That is the change we need. And we need to know how to help those returning. There is so little genuine support for them.

[YuryGetsin]

"The president carries the biggest burden, obviously," Cheney said.

Yet other, obviously lesser men cannot even live with their smaller burdens.

[darkhitect]

That was a tough film to watch. I hope it gets people talking.