Requiem for a Soldier
Carmel Hamlet, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, War
A soldier's life is flipped upside down when he discovers an enemy diary filled with art. Requiem for a Soldier is about memory, PTSD, the importance of caring for our veterans and the humanity that ties us all together. In Peter's words, "This is not a political mission; it's a humanitarian one."
Requiem for a Soldier
Carmel Hamlet, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, War
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $28,980 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
61 supporters | followers
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A soldier's life is flipped upside down when he discovers an enemy diary filled with art. Requiem for a Soldier is about memory, PTSD, the importance of caring for our veterans and the humanity that ties us all together. In Peter's words, "This is not a political mission; it's a humanitarian one."
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In 1966, two young men on opposite ends of the world entered a war to fight on conflicting sides. Peter Mathews, a Dutch citizen, was drafted by the US government shortly after recieving his green card. Cao Van Tuat enlisted in the North Vietnamese Army to defend his country. Both had dreams of being artists but only one came out of the war alive.
(Peter Mathews, 1967)
Sent halfway around the world, Peter fought in some of Vietnam's bloodiest battles and earned himself a Bronze Star. But in the last week of Peter's tour, he discovered an abandoned diary belonging to Cao Van Tuat. It was filled with elaborate drawings, music, poetry and for the first time in the war, Peter saw his enemy as a human being. He slid the diary into his pocket and made a promise to return it to its rightful owner.
Back in the United States, Peter was denied US citizenship despite his military service. Struggling with PTSD and alcoholism, Peter was arrested, became homeless, but never lost the diary. After 56 years, Peter finally translated the diary, sought out Tuat's surviving family and helped a soul rest in peace.
(Tuat's Nephew, Peter Mathews, 2023)
But who was Cao Van Tuat? The diary's author grew up in a small fishing village, had a girlfriend, and left his family behind to fight for Ho Chi Minh. With very little known about Tuat and no known photographs of him in existence, Peter was not given the chance to ask all the questions that yearned. Join us as Peter dives deeper, trying to discover more about his brother in arms.
(Tuat's Military Records)
By talking to soldiers who served with Tuat and asking Tuat's surviving family the questions that still burn, we walk a little further in Tuat's shoes. By processing Peter's memories and learning about the difficulties of PTSD, we discover what the toll of war really is. By blending new and archival footage with Vietnamese styled animation we recreate memories and reimagine a soul lost to time. This is not just a search for Tuat, but a journey towards closure. It's a story that needs to be told now, as every year, there are fewer and fewer people from this era alive who can tell these stories.
(BTS from our Interview)
How can you help? Your contribution to this film will go towards production. We have multiple shoot days lined up in the US. We need to pay for crew, equipment, transportation, location permits and more. However, the bulk of the filming that we have left to do will be in Vietnam. We have to pay for Peter and our crew's airfare, find a translator or local producer, get access to a variety of protected spaces and of course house everyone. We're being tactical about how we spend every dollar and we know the final results will be jaw dropping.
So check out our incentives! Make a contribution! Follow our campaign!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
We're going to have so many fun updates to share!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $5,000
You can't make a movie without Camera, Lighting and Sound Equipment.
Crew
Costs $12,000
Our Camera, Sound, and Lighting crew are professionals who do this for a living. Help us compensate them for their hard work.
Catering and Crafty
Costs $3,500
Our cast and crew need to eat. Help us keep our team healthy and full so they can continue to do the hard work behind the scenes.
Travel Expenses
Costs $6,500
Traveling to Vietnam with our cast and crew is not cheap. Once we're there we'll also need hotel rooms, a car rental, taxis and gas money.
Location
Costs $3,000
We need location permits and special spaces to film our interviews & B-roll. Getting this access will take our film to the next level.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Executive Producer: Joe DeBonis
Joe DeBonis is an Emmy Winning Director, Producer, and DoP for over 40 years on shows such as SNL, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and David Letterman.
Director: Jeremy Musher
Jeremy Musher is a commercial and short film director who has worked in film for over 12 years. Graduating from Hampshire College in 2013, Jeremy is inspired to tell stories that speak to the human condition and its proclivity towards war.
Director of Photography: Zach Rockenstyre
Zach Rockenstyre is a Graduate of the NYU Tisch Film School. He has shot commercials for Reebok, Michael Kors and The BBC just to name a few. He prides himself in being a Tech Wizard, staying on top of the newest trends and learning the newest equipment innovations.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In 1966, two young men on opposite ends of the world entered a war to fight on conflicting sides. Peter Mathews, a Dutch citizen, was drafted by the US government shortly after recieving his green card. Cao Van Tuat enlisted in the North Vietnamese Army to defend his country. Both had dreams of being artists but only one came out of the war alive.
(Peter Mathews, 1967)
Sent halfway around the world, Peter fought in some of Vietnam's bloodiest battles and earned himself a Bronze Star. But in the last week of Peter's tour, he discovered an abandoned diary belonging to Cao Van Tuat. It was filled with elaborate drawings, music, poetry and for the first time in the war, Peter saw his enemy as a human being. He slid the diary into his pocket and made a promise to return it to its rightful owner.
Back in the United States, Peter was denied US citizenship despite his military service. Struggling with PTSD and alcoholism, Peter was arrested, became homeless, but never lost the diary. After 56 years, Peter finally translated the diary, sought out Tuat's surviving family and helped a soul rest in peace.
(Tuat's Nephew, Peter Mathews, 2023)
But who was Cao Van Tuat? The diary's author grew up in a small fishing village, had a girlfriend, and left his family behind to fight for Ho Chi Minh. With very little known about Tuat and no known photographs of him in existence, Peter was not given the chance to ask all the questions that yearned. Join us as Peter dives deeper, trying to discover more about his brother in arms.
(Tuat's Military Records)
By talking to soldiers who served with Tuat and asking Tuat's surviving family the questions that still burn, we walk a little further in Tuat's shoes. By processing Peter's memories and learning about the difficulties of PTSD, we discover what the toll of war really is. By blending new and archival footage with Vietnamese styled animation we recreate memories and reimagine a soul lost to time. This is not just a search for Tuat, but a journey towards closure. It's a story that needs to be told now, as every year, there are fewer and fewer people from this era alive who can tell these stories.
(BTS from our Interview)
How can you help? Your contribution to this film will go towards production. We have multiple shoot days lined up in the US. We need to pay for crew, equipment, transportation, location permits and more. However, the bulk of the filming that we have left to do will be in Vietnam. We have to pay for Peter and our crew's airfare, find a translator or local producer, get access to a variety of protected spaces and of course house everyone. We're being tactical about how we spend every dollar and we know the final results will be jaw dropping.
So check out our incentives! Make a contribution! Follow our campaign!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
We're going to have so many fun updates to share!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $5,000
You can't make a movie without Camera, Lighting and Sound Equipment.
Crew
Costs $12,000
Our Camera, Sound, and Lighting crew are professionals who do this for a living. Help us compensate them for their hard work.
Catering and Crafty
Costs $3,500
Our cast and crew need to eat. Help us keep our team healthy and full so they can continue to do the hard work behind the scenes.
Travel Expenses
Costs $6,500
Traveling to Vietnam with our cast and crew is not cheap. Once we're there we'll also need hotel rooms, a car rental, taxis and gas money.
Location
Costs $3,000
We need location permits and special spaces to film our interviews & B-roll. Getting this access will take our film to the next level.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Executive Producer: Joe DeBonis
Joe DeBonis is an Emmy Winning Director, Producer, and DoP for over 40 years on shows such as SNL, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and David Letterman.
Director: Jeremy Musher
Jeremy Musher is a commercial and short film director who has worked in film for over 12 years. Graduating from Hampshire College in 2013, Jeremy is inspired to tell stories that speak to the human condition and its proclivity towards war.
Director of Photography: Zach Rockenstyre
Zach Rockenstyre is a Graduate of the NYU Tisch Film School. He has shot commercials for Reebok, Michael Kors and The BBC just to name a few. He prides himself in being a Tech Wizard, staying on top of the newest trends and learning the newest equipment innovations.