In the “Must Watch This Weekend” category…
I went to a screening last night of the new PBS documentary, Carrier. And all I can say is…wow. I am not known for my history skills, nor could I tell you whnt we are fighting for in Iraq. But I can tell you that this piece of filmmaking is one of the most intriguing to hit the airways (and the FREE airways at that) in a long time. Centered around the deployment of the Carrier USS Nimitz, a film crew follows the highs and lows of being a defender of freedom. At the screening, an Admiral that served on the Nimitz was there, along with the producer Jeff Dupre, who’s last feature was On Broadway…They shared stories and answered questions like, “was anything staged?”, or “was there a security breach at any time?” (which, by the way, the answers were no). When the audience was asked if there were any military there, and a third of the audience stood, I suddenly felt the urge to salute, or at least clap, for these…the men and women who have fought for the very freedom I enjoy. And this isn’t a recruitment video…filmmakers were given the opportunity to interview many opinions on the war, on life aboard a ship, and the return to life back home…and let me tell you, it’s not always positive. It’s gut-wrenching, it’s intriguing…it’s one hell of a ride.
If you are in Chicago this weekend, you have no excuse not to tune into WTTW11 at 8pm. You will not be sorry, in fact, I am sure the water cooler gossip will include a discussion of Carrier. If nothing else, watch it for the drama. Stay for the sense of patriotism you will undoubted get when you see a pass by of Pearl Harbor set to Five For Fighting’s World. You will cry. You will cringe. You will laugh. But most importantly, you will be moved.
For more information, visit www.wttw.com/carrier (for those in Chicago) or www.pbs.org/carrier.
