Military Flicks Invade Capitol Hill, NoVa

By Warren Rojas

Posted May 19, 2014 at 11:00am

The GI Film Festival is bringing its army of thought-provoking films to the forefront this week, beginning with a sold-out world premiere in neighboring Old Town Alexandria and VIP screening Tuesday in Congress.

Veteran turned Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, New York Republican Rep. Chris Gibson and West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III are all slated to attend the invite-only reception and premiere of “The Civilian-Military Divide” on Tuesday.

The film, directed by Sean McNamara, explores the burgeoning disconnect between the modern military and the general public.   “The mission of GI Film is to relay the messages of what the military truly does for our country, including sacrifices made; its goal is to bridge the gap between civilians and military members,” festival spokeswoman Heather Mahoney said of the group’s eight-plus year mission.  <script id="5e2bd50d2be64735bd9c6970a280aeab">(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9484058d-cb86-4c6b-b476-f5e62bd11798&cid=69ef7590-f88b-4a7b-b1ad-bbee64894f4f'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9484058d-cb86-4c6b-b476-f5e62bd11798" }).render("5e2bd50d2be64735bd9c6970a280aeab"); });</script> The action gets underway a day earlier for those across the river.   GIFF actually kicks off with the <a href="https://gifilmfestival.webconnex.com/giff14openingnight" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">world premiere</a> of “Field of Lost Shoes;” the project, directed by Sean McNamara, explores the trying times faced by a band of untested Virginia Military Institute cadets facing a date with destiny at the Battle of New Market.   Actor — and sometime <a href="https://cdn.videos.rollcall.com/hohfalse" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">director</a> — David Arquette, told HOH reinterpreting history is practically the family business.   “My grandfather Cliff Arquette had a Civil War Museum in Gettysburg, so we always grew up with Civil War books and collectables,” said the Virginia native, who portrays Capt. Henry A. DuPont in the harrowing drama. “It was a great opportunity to honor him.”   Sadly, our favorite <a href="https://cdn.videos.rollcall.com/hohfalse" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">night life impresario</a> will not be visiting our neck of the woods this time around.   “I have no plans to go to Capitol Hill this trip. I’m just going to screen the film and hope the audience (and my grandfather somewhere) likes it,” Arquette suggested. </body>

Military Flicks Invade Capitol Hill, NoVa

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