“VISIONS OF WARRIORS” ADDED TO CALIFORNIA CENTER
FOR THE BOOK’S “CALIFORNIANS: COMMUNITY
CONVERSATIONS WITH VETERANS”

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" TO SCREEN AT THE
L.A. PUBLIC LIBRARY / MEMORIAL BRANCH LIBRARY

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" TO SCREEN AT THE
SAN FRANCISCO VETERANS FILM FESTIVAL

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" TO SCREEN AT THE
AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION'S 49TH ANNUAL
CONFERENCE / ART THERAPY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" IS COVERED IN THE
USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION VETERANS AFFAIRS 2017

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

LOGLINE

In “Visions of Warriors,” four veterans from the Vietnam War era to the Iraq War participate in the groundbreaking Veteran Photo Recovery Project at the VA Menlo Park and use innovative photography therapy to treat their mental illness. 

SYNOPSIS

“Visions of Warriors” enters the minds of four veterans from the Vietnam War era to the Iraq War who are battling against mental illness—Mark Pinto, Homerina "Marina" Bond, Ari Sonnenberg, and Priscilla "Peni" Bethel. They participate in the groundbreaking Veteran Photo Recovery Project at the VA Menlo Park and use innovative photography therapy to treat their moral injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and other mental illnesses. The documentary also profiles the Veteran Photo Recovery Project team—founder and nurse practitioner Susan Quaglietti, art therapist Jeff Stadler, clinical social worker Ryan Gardner, and clinical psychologist Kristen McDonald. With a non-linear narrative structure to mirror the veterans’ shattered lives, the film alternates between the veterans and the mental health providers. It also introduces other dynamic veterans who participated in the program. The overall narrative arc of the film extends from the veterans’ diverse backgrounds to their challenging military service to their debilitating mental illness to their intensive treatment. Because the veterans use photography therapy to treat their mental illness, the cinematography is inspired by iconic photo essays in Life Magazine and National Geographic that intimately capture people's lives. Ultimately, "Visions of Warriors" is a universal story about the strength of the human spirit. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VETERAN PHOTO RECOVERY PROJECT. 

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

"After learning about Susan Quaglietti and the Veteran Photo Recovery Project, we were inspired to create a feature documentary about her compassionate work. We were deeply moved by the veterans’ powerful stories. As war and conflicts continue, many veterans are coming back and suffering from mental illness. Shockingly, 22 veterans commit suicide every day. To make matters worse, the VA system has been involved in a growing scandal, from a huge backlog to wait time cover-ups to even patient deaths. Hopefully, by sharing the veterans' incredible stories of heroism and survival, our film raises awareness about the rise of veteran mental illness and the power of innovative photography therapy to treat it. We're deeply honored to be able to document the extraordinary lives of the veterans and their mental health providers."—Ming Lai, Producer / Writer / Director

GRATITUDE

Our deepest gratitude to all of our grantors, sponsors, donors, and supporters.

Fiscal Sponsor
International Documentary Association

Grantors
Stanford Medicine & the Muse Program in the Medical Humanities

Corporate Sponsors 
Artisan & Artist
Evike
Freestyle Photographic Supplies

Donors
ADG Realty Invitational Bowling League, Julie Akahori, Angelina Cheng, Ernest Cheng, Elaine Chien & Family, Kevin Conway, Tamara & Gary Fine, Vic Froelicher & Family, Brian & Soo Fujishige & Family, Aaron & Anita Hamachi, William Herbert, David & Kathy Ikeda, Glenn & Harumi Kawaguchi & Family, Elena Klaw, Jan Komuro, Patrick Lew & Family, Spencer & Vivian Liang & Family, Nate Lipp, Laraine Matsuyama, Glenn Omatsu, Sylvia Sahagian, Marc Salazar, Mike Stivers & Family, Symantec Corporation (for Spencer Liang), Kan Taniguchi & Family, Tuan Tran & Family, Gary & Lois Tsunoda, Tianna Umann, Vince Wong & Michelle Chun, Nobu & Ayako Yuki & Family

FILMMAKERS

Ming Lai, Producer / Writer / Editor / Director  IMDB
Ming Lai is a filmmaker and photographer and Founder/CEO of Humanist Films, a film and photography production company based in Los Angeles. His narrative and documentary films explore the human condition, addressing subjects like war, illegal immigration, art education, and mental illness. His photography similarly tries to capture the human spirit, from breathtaking architecture to haunting internment camps. In his commercial work, he’s created commercials and corporate videos for many international clients, including Coldwell Banker, Epson, Fujitsu, Marukome, and Yakult. With all of his projects, he strives to create enduring works of art that benefit humanity.

Matt Steinauer, Producer / Editor  IMDB
Matt Steinauer is a veteran cinematographer and editor in the entertainment field. Having shot and edited many features, commercials, and music videos for over a decade has afforded Matt the opportunity to meet and work with colleagues from around the world. Matt was recently nominated for an “Annie” award for his editing work in TV. With a desire to contribute to the shared “conversation” of humanity through his skills and diligence, Matt looks forward to working on projects that make a difference.

Dilip Isaac, Director of Photography  IMDB
Dilip Isaac has been behind the camera for nearly a decade. Starting in grip and lighting, where he formed his own rental business, he learned how to manipulate light both from ambient bounce and actual sources. Dilip has taken his years of experience from gaffing and gripping as well as composition techniques to create new images that look both natural and cinematic. Having worked with many talented people along the way, he is always creating a fusion that is a combined style of the best while adding his own flare.

Trevor Crist, Director of Photography  IMDB
Trevor Crist is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer, gaffer, and camera operator. Born in New Mexico, he studied at the College of Santa Fe and moved to LA in 2004. Trevor has spent most of the past decade lighting commercial and feature film projects that have gone on to critical acclaim in festivals such as SXSW, Los Angeles Film Festival, and the Independent Spirit Awards. “Visions of Warriors” marks one of his first ventures into the documentary format. Trevor is very proud to be a part of a project with such an important message.

Sven Faulconer, Composer  IMDB
Sven Faulconer, born and raised in Belgium, is a Los Angeles-based composer for film and television. He employs a wide and unique range of music styles, as reflected in the remarkable list of credits acquired by him over the years. In particular, a keen sense for collaboration and strong story-telling skills have earned him music credits on blockbuster movies as The Hunger Games series, Nightcrawler, The Bourne Legacy, The Green Hornet, and Parkland. His original approach in independent productions has resulted in numerous scores with a very distinctive character.

Jeff Hutchins, Sound Supervisor  IMDB
Jeff Hutchins is a hands-on Sound Supervisor with 27 years of experience doing sound work for motion pictures and television. Field recording is a passion and brings a flow of unique sounds into every project. Spanning the globe on a quest to record interesting sounds, his high definition recordings really propel a freshness into each project. Jeff's studios include a design suite and a high definition foley stage. As a result, he has won five Emmys and seven Golden Reel awards for excellence in the sound industry.

Bruce Greenspan, Dialogue Editor / Music Editor / Sound Effects Editor / Re-Recording Mixer  IMDB
Bruce Greenspan has been working in LA since 1993. As an audio engineer who specializes in post sound for film and TV, he does what’s necessary to propel a story to best serve the narrative and realize the creator’s vision. For the last 20 years, Bruce has been a “one-man editor, designer, and mixer” for Planet Grande Pictures, Painless Productions, and many independent producers, delivering TV series from animation (CrashBox, Snowden’s Christmas) to reality adventure (Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans, The Dead Files, Freshman Year, Two Hour Tour) to documentaries and specials (Moonshine Madness, Bad Boys of Summer, Breaking the News, It Conquered Hollywood), and much more. With hundreds of broadcast hours and dozens of features of experience, Bruce has had the opportunity to work with some of Hollywood’s finest and is thrilled to work with Ming on such an important film.

Stacy Hruby, Location Sound Mixer  IMDB

Micah Mucklow, Location Sound Mixer  IMDB
Micah Mucklow is a sound engineer and owner of Secret Menu Productions, LLC. Micah has recorded audio for numerous indie films and documentaries over the past five years. With a degree in visual anthropology, Micah began his post-college career as an educator in the Oakland Unified public school system but soon turn back toward documentary filmmaking and the film/tv broadcast industry within the Bay Area. Micah currently works as a freelance sound mixer and A2 for Secret Menu Productions, Pac-12 Networks, and the local IATSE 119 sports broadcast union.
 

SEE COMPLETE CAST & CREW CREDITS. 

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" UPCOMING SCREENINGS

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY / MEMORIAL BRANCH LIBRARY
Los Angeles, California

Screening and Q&A with Ming Lai:
Saturday, 11/10/18, 12:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Public Library / Memorial Branch Library
4625 W. Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
323-938-2732

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library / Memorial Branch Library:
https://www.lapl.org/branches/memorial

To learn more about the history of the Los Angeles Public Library / Memorial Branch Library:
https://www.lapl.org/branches/memorial/history

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library’s Veterans Resources: 
https://www.lapl.org/veterans

SAN FRANCISCO VETERANS FILM FESTIVAL
San Francisco, California

Screening and Q&A with Ming Lai:
Saturday, 11/3/18 or Sunday, 11/4/18
[exact date and time TBA]
San Francisco Public Library / Main Library
Lower Level
Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102

To learn more about the San Francisco Veterans Film Festival:
https://www.sfveteransfilmfestival.org/

Download a flyer about the festival.

To learn more about One Vet One Voice:
https://onevetonevoice.org/

To learn more about the San Francisco Public Library / Main Library:
https://sfpl.org

AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION'S 49TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE / ART THERAPY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Miami, Florida

Conference Workshop “Expanding Your Focal Point: Addressing Veterans’ Mental Health Needs Through Photography” with Zara Drapkin and Ryan Gardner:
(Workshop N/NY-PS2117)
Saturday, 11/3/18, 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m
Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami
Location: Merrick 1
400 SE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33131

Screening and Q&A with Ryan Gardner and Zara Drapkin:
(Panel Session TE5138)
Saturday, 11/3/18, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami
Location: Flagler
400 SE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33131

To learn more about the American Art Therapy Association conference
http://www.arttherapyconference.com/

To download the American Art Therapy Association conference brochure:
https://arttherapy.org/upload/Conference/2018OnlineBrochure.pdf

To learn more about the American Art Therapy Association:
https://arttherapy.org/

SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY / CENTRAL LIBRARY
San Diego, California

Screening and Q&A with Ming Lai:
Tuesday, 10/9/18, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
San Diego Public Library / Central Library
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
(Downtown East Village, Park Boulevard at 11th Avenue, near Petco Park)
619-236-5800
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge. 

To learn more about the screening:
https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/hold-visions-warriors

To learn more about the San Diego Public Library / Central Library:
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/central-library

To learn more about the San Diego Public Library’s Veterans Resource Centers:
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/services/outreach/vrc

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY / EXPOSITION PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
Los Angeles, California

Screening and Q&A with Ming Lai: 
Thursday, 7/19/18, 6:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Public Library / Exposition Park Branch Library
3900 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90062
323-290-3113
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge. 

To RSVP for the screening: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/234244470461425/

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library / Exposition Park Branch Library:
https://www.facebook.com/expoparkLAPL/

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library: 
https://www.lapl.org/

To learn more about the the Los Angeles Public Library’s Veterans Resources:
https://www.lapl.org/veterans

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY / VAN NUYS BRANCH LIBRARY
Van Nuys, California

Screening: 
Saturday, 5/26/18, 2:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Public Library / Van Nuys Branch Library
6250 Sylmar Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-756-8453
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge. 

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library:
https://www.lapl.org/

To learn more about the Los Angeles Public Library's Veterans Resources: 
https://www.lapl.org/veterans

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Baltimore, Maryland

Screening and Q&A with Ming Lai:
Thursday, 5/3/18, 5:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
University of Maryland
School of Social Work
525 West Redwood St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge.

For social workers to obtain CEUs for attending this screening: 
http://sswcpe.umaryland.edu/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?&course=MAY3RD

To learn more about the University of Maryland School of Social Work: 
http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/

COLORADO PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION
Boulder, Colorado

Screening and Panel Discussion:
Tuesday, 5/1/18, 5:45 p.m.
Windhorse Community Services
1200 Yarmouth Avenue
Boulder, CO 80304

To learn more about the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association:
https://www.psychrehabassociation.org/

To learn more about Colorado Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association:
https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoPRA/

To learn more about Windhorse Community Services:
https://windhorsecommunityservices.com/

SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
San Jose, California

Screening and Q&A with Mark Pinto:
Thursday, 4/19/18, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
San Jose State University
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
255, 2nd Floor
150 E. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95112
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge. 

To learn more about the screening:
https://events.sjpl.org/event/visons_of_warriors

Download a flyer by Vet Connect about the event.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
Fresno, California

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, and Ming Lai:
Thursday, 11/30/17, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
California State University, Fresno
Satellite Student Union
2485 E. San Ramon Avenue
Fresno, CA 93740
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge.

To learn more about California State University, Fresno:
http://www.csufresno.edu/

Download a flyer by the California State University, Fresno about the event. 

CITY OF PALO ALTO / CUBBERLEY ARTIST STUDIO PROGRAM (CASP) OPEN STUDIO EVENT
Palo Alto, California

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, and Ming Lai:
Saturday, 11/18/17, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cubberley Community Center
H-1 Lecture Room
4000 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-329-2418
*The screening is open to the public and free of charge.  

To learn more:
www.cityofpaloalto.org/casp

Download a map of and directions to Cubberley Community Center.

Read a press release by the City of Palo Alto about this screening and the CASP Open Studio Event.  

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
Fairbanks, Alaska

Screening:
Saturday, 11/11/17, Veterans Day
University of Alaska Fairbanks
505 South Chandalar Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775

To learn more about the University of Alaska Fairbanks:
https://www.uaf.edu/

UPLIFT WILLIAMS PREPARATORY
Dallas, Texas

Screening:
Around Veterans Day 2017 TBA
Uplift Williams Preparatory
1750 Viceroy Dr.
Dallas, TX 75235
*This is a private screening for the school and not open to the public.

To learn more about Uplift Williams Preparatory:
https://www.uplifteducation.org/Domain/606

COLORADO PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION (COPRA)
Denver, Colorado

Screening: 
Thursday, 11/9/17, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Dahlia Campus for Health & Well-Being—Mental Health Center of Denver
3401 Eudora St.
Denver, CO 80207

To learn more about the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association:
https://www.psychrehabassociation.org/

To learn more about the Colorado Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (COPRA)
https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoPRA/

To learn more about the Dahlia Campus for Health & Well-Being—Mental Health Center of Denver:
https://mhcd.org/dahlia-campus-for-health-well-being/

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS, MINNESOTA
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti and Ryan Gardner: 
Friday, 10/20/17, 5:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
John Roach Center (JRC) for the Liberal Arts, Room 126
2115 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
651-962-5000

To reserve tickets for the screening:
https://www.stthomas.edu/socialwork/events/events/20171020aempvisionsofwarriors.html

To learn more about the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota:
http://www.stthomas.edu/

To learn more about the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Area of Emphasis in Military Practice (AEMP) Scholars program:
https://www.stthomas.edu/socialwork/graduate/financing/aescholars/military/

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF NURSING
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti and Ryan Gardner:
Friday, 10/20/17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
5-140 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
*This is a private screening for the university and not open to the public. 

To learn more about University of Minnesota School of Nursing:
https://www.nursing.umn.edu/

DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
San Rafael, California

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, & Ming Lai:
Tuesday, 9/12/17, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Dominican University of California
Edgehill Mansion
Garden Room
50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-457-4440
*This event is open to the public. 

To learn more about the screening:
http://www.dominican.edu/dominicannews/whats-happening-at-dominican

To learn more about Dominican University of California: 
http://www.dominican.edu/ 

SKYLINE INDIE FILM FEST
Westchester, Virginia

Screening:
Friday, 9/8/17, 3:00 p.m.
Dharma Studio
160 North Loudoun Street
Winchester, VA 22601
540-212-8623

To learn more: 
http://www.skylineindiefilmfest.org/

To buy tickets: 
http://www.skylineindiefilmfest.org/schedule/visions-of-warriors/

PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION’S 40TH ANNUAL WELLNESS AND RECOVERY SUMMIT
Atlanta, Georgia

TED-Like Talk by Susan Quaglietti and Ryan Gardner:
Sunday, 6/25/17, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

To learn more:
http://www.psychrehabassociation.org/content/using-photography-advance-recovery-journey

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, & Ming Lai:
Sunday, 6/25/17, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

To learn more:
http://www.psychrehabassociation.org/content/movie-night-“visions-warriors”

To register for the conference and attend the TED-Like Talk and screening:
http://www.psychrehabassociation.org/40th-annual-wellness-and-recovery-summit-registration-information

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Oakland, California

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, & Ming Lai:
Wednesday, 4/5/17, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
VENUE CORRECTION:
Holy Names University / Valley Center for the Performing Arts
3500 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619

To learn more: 
http://www.oiff.org
https://www.hnu.edu/about/campus/valley-center-performing-arts

For tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oiff-15-early-bird-visions-of-warriors-tickets-32075141612   

VAIL FILM FESTIVAL
Vail, Colorado
"One of the Top 10 Destination Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, & Ming Lai:
Friday, 3/31/17, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
CineBistro 2 at Solaris
141 E. Meadow Dr., #104, Vail, CO 81657
970-476-3344
Theater Info: 
https://cinebistro.com/solaris/index.php

Screening and Q&A with Susan Quaglietti, Ryan Gardner, & Ming Lai:
Saturday, 4/1/17, 8:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
CineBistro 1 at Solaris
141 E. Meadow Dr., #104, Vail, CO 81657
970-476-3344
Theater Info: 
https://cinebistro.com/solaris/index.php

To learn more: 
http://www.vailfilmfestival.com/documentaries-1/
https://vailfilmfestival2017.sched.com

For tickets: 
http://www.vailfilmfestival.com/2017-tickets

"VISIONS OF WARRIORS" LATEST NEWS

DONATE TO "VISIONS OF WARRIORS" 

Make a donation to our "Visions of Warriors" feature documentary project and help raise awareness about the rise of veteran mental illness and the power of innovative photography therapy to treat it. Donate any amount, and receive a 100% tax deduction.  Donate via our fiscal sponsor, the respected International Documentary Association. 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

If you can’t help fund our documentary project, you can still support it in many other ways. Help us get the word out about our film, using your favorite social media.

http://www.visionsofwarriors.com

https://www.facebook.com/visionsofwarriors

https://www.instagram.com/humanistfilms/

https://twitter.com/humanistfilms

CONTACT

HUMANIST FILMS, LLC

humanistfilms.com
shoot[at]humanistfilms[dot]com

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