stand down soldier

ArtMattan Films has announced the acquisition of world rights to “Stand Down Soldier” by Jeryl Prescott Sales, a film that focuses on the seldom-portrayed lives of women after military service.

“Stand Down Soldier” tells the story of an African American woman sergeant who, after three tours of duty, is affected with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Per the press release, the film very effectively puts forward the bigger issues of the challenges veterans face to reintegrate civil society and the issue of the protection of women in the military by going to the personal life of this one female soldier. In addition, the film explores her adjustment and mental health issues, the major disruptions her return brings into the lives of her loved ones, and the structures she, the military and her family use to help her cope with her issues and get back to a normal life.

Jeryl Prescott Sales also stars in the film, which she wrote and directed; she is best known for her portrayal of Jacqui in “The Walking Dead,” and will next be seen in Nate Parker’s “The Birth of a Nation.”

She started writing the award-winning script for “Stand Down Soldier” after conversations with female family members and friends from her home state of South Carolina, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“This film tells a very important story” says ArtMattan Films principal Reinaldo Barroso-Spech. “we are proud to give it the visibility it deserves nationally and internationally.”

“Stand Down Soldier” had its New York Premiere in the 2015 African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) and will screen in ADIFF – Chicago in June at Facets Cinematheque.

ArtMattan Films celebrates in 24 years of exposing US audiences to a large variety of films about the human experience of people of color in many parts of the world. Films released by ArtMattan Films include “Kirikou and the Sorceress,” “The Tracker,” “Gospel Hill,” “Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story,” “The Pirogue” and most recently “Tango Negro: The African Roots of Tango,” “White Lies,” “Fevers” and “The Man Who Mends Women.”

More info at www.AfricanFilm.com.

Stand Down Soldier

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