Florian
Tempe, Arizona | Film Short
Documentary, War
Florian is a powerful documentary bringing the Vietnam War to life through three intertwined stories: Art, a bomber loader; Florian, a young soldier killed in the Tet Offensive; and Maryann, a refugee. Their journeys reveal the human cost of war, its fear, chaos, and lasting impact.
Florian
Tempe, Arizona | Film Short
Documentary, War
1 Campaigns | Arizona, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $1,980 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
11 supporters | followers
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Florian is a powerful documentary bringing the Vietnam War to life through three intertwined stories: Art, a bomber loader; Florian, a young soldier killed in the Tet Offensive; and Maryann, a refugee. Their journeys reveal the human cost of war, its fear, chaos, and lasting impact.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
From 1955 to 1975, over 3 million Americans served in uniform in Vietnam.
A name means more than any statistic ever could.
Logline
Using archival footage and interviews with Veterans, Florian aims to explore the harsh realities of the Vietnam War, through the eyes of those who lived it.
Synopsis
The Arizona State University Capstone, Florian, aims to bring the Vietnam War to life and place the audience in the shoes of those who went through this savage war. The Documentaries show that these are not just people behind the screen, but living, breathing flesh and blood–people whom I and many others know by name rather than as a statistic or rank. By giving a human face to the conflict, we are reminded that even though wars are fought thousands of miles away and are only ever seen through our screens, there is a very real cost that history is quick to forget. From the United States in which thousands of young adults were forced into the war, to the atrocious jungle conditions in which they fought and died in.
This film’s mission is to tell the story of three individuals–a frontline combatant, a bomb loader, and a refugee–and weave their personal narratives together to depict the Vietnam War as you’ve never seen it before.
Why This Film Matters
This film matters because it preserves the voices and memories of those who lived through one of history’s most devastating wars—stories that deserve to be heard before they fade with time. By supporting Florian, you’re helping honor the courage, pain, and humanity of a generation that sacrificed so much. Your donation ensures their experiences live on to teach, move, and remind us what war truly costs. Never in history have we needed so badly a reminder of the realities of war.
Director's Statement
Many documentaries about war take a largely detached standpoint from the source material, serving to inform the viewer with dates and facts rather than dive deeper into the true atrocities and personal stories of those who served. My biggest inspiration for this film is They Shall Not Grow Old, a film which serves more as an eerie glimpse into a past long forgotten through personal stories and recollections about war. Soldiers talking about the little things they remember. What it meant to be confronted by the enemy and give them a face rather than a nameless shadow. Watching someone’s guts get spilled meters away from you, and there’s nothing you can do. THIS is war.
In Honor,
Florian Henry Kuss
December 28th, 1946 - January 5th, 1968
Panel 33E, Line 50
For my great uncle, Florian.
Thank you for reading.
- Ethan Lindquist
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
SSD/Hard Drive
Costs $250
A good hard drive is vital for a documentary, especially one of this size and importance.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $600
To honor the Florian story, we aim to submit to multiple film festivals. Each submission will cost around $50-100.
Crew Transportation
Costs $400
We would love to ensure that all of our crew can attend and are reimbursed for their time commuting.
Catering and Meals
Costs $600
Making sure to feed our cast and crew during the filming of the documentary is crucial to having a successful production.
Music
Costs $100
Music is necessary to convey the themes and emotions of a documentary.
Insurance
Costs $420
To ensure camera and lens safety.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our Team
Directed by Ethan Lindquist
Produced by Tayler Bohling
Co-Producer Shefali Saxena
Director of Photography: Myles Hancock
First Assistant Camera: Koal Peres
On-Set Sound Supervisor: Shane Pham
Post Sound Supervisor: David Gonzalez
Grip: Brett Cornell
Edited by Anthony Piras
Marketing Manager: Stella DeBord
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
From 1955 to 1975, over 3 million Americans served in uniform in Vietnam.
A name means more than any statistic ever could.
Logline
Using archival footage and interviews with Veterans, Florian aims to explore the harsh realities of the Vietnam War, through the eyes of those who lived it.
Synopsis
The Arizona State University Capstone, Florian, aims to bring the Vietnam War to life and place the audience in the shoes of those who went through this savage war. The Documentaries show that these are not just people behind the screen, but living, breathing flesh and blood–people whom I and many others know by name rather than as a statistic or rank. By giving a human face to the conflict, we are reminded that even though wars are fought thousands of miles away and are only ever seen through our screens, there is a very real cost that history is quick to forget. From the United States in which thousands of young adults were forced into the war, to the atrocious jungle conditions in which they fought and died in.
This film’s mission is to tell the story of three individuals–a frontline combatant, a bomb loader, and a refugee–and weave their personal narratives together to depict the Vietnam War as you’ve never seen it before.
Why This Film Matters
This film matters because it preserves the voices and memories of those who lived through one of history’s most devastating wars—stories that deserve to be heard before they fade with time. By supporting Florian, you’re helping honor the courage, pain, and humanity of a generation that sacrificed so much. Your donation ensures their experiences live on to teach, move, and remind us what war truly costs. Never in history have we needed so badly a reminder of the realities of war.
Director's Statement
Many documentaries about war take a largely detached standpoint from the source material, serving to inform the viewer with dates and facts rather than dive deeper into the true atrocities and personal stories of those who served. My biggest inspiration for this film is They Shall Not Grow Old, a film which serves more as an eerie glimpse into a past long forgotten through personal stories and recollections about war. Soldiers talking about the little things they remember. What it meant to be confronted by the enemy and give them a face rather than a nameless shadow. Watching someone’s guts get spilled meters away from you, and there’s nothing you can do. THIS is war.
In Honor,
Florian Henry Kuss
December 28th, 1946 - January 5th, 1968
Panel 33E, Line 50
For my great uncle, Florian.
Thank you for reading.
- Ethan Lindquist
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
SSD/Hard Drive
Costs $250
A good hard drive is vital for a documentary, especially one of this size and importance.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $600
To honor the Florian story, we aim to submit to multiple film festivals. Each submission will cost around $50-100.
Crew Transportation
Costs $400
We would love to ensure that all of our crew can attend and are reimbursed for their time commuting.
Catering and Meals
Costs $600
Making sure to feed our cast and crew during the filming of the documentary is crucial to having a successful production.
Music
Costs $100
Music is necessary to convey the themes and emotions of a documentary.
Insurance
Costs $420
To ensure camera and lens safety.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our Team
Directed by Ethan Lindquist
Produced by Tayler Bohling
Co-Producer Shefali Saxena
Director of Photography: Myles Hancock
First Assistant Camera: Koal Peres
On-Set Sound Supervisor: Shane Pham
Post Sound Supervisor: David Gonzalez
Grip: Brett Cornell
Edited by Anthony Piras
Marketing Manager: Stella DeBord