It’s an atypical war hero film, and it needs atypical investors.
Max Martini, an actor well-known for a slew of military roles in films and TV shows such as “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Great Raid” and “The Unit,” is looking for help to finance a screenplay, “Will Gardner,” which he wrote about an Iraq War veteran he befriended who was facing homelessness and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
But Martini says he needs an unusual type of investor — once investments are recouped, he wants to share profits from the film with veterans’ charities.
Martini said the film is a true story based on Gardner, an Army Ranger whom Martini met in Iraq. Despite being honored with two Purple Hearts, Gardner had difficulty re-entering daily life in the U.S. It took him 2 ½ years to obtain medical benefits through the Veterans Administration, and Gardner eventually lost his job and became homeless.
Martini wrote the screenplay, by himself, about his friend.
“Movies have a tendency to focus on obvious heroes, but being a supporter of the military, I felt I had to write a movie for the unsung heroes,” he said. “I want to make a different kind of movie about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Three hundred and sixty thousand veterans have brain injuries, and between 70,000 and 120,000 vets are homeless on any given day.”
Martini asks that inquiries be directed via email to willgardnerthemovie@gmail.com.
Today, Martini said Gardner’s VA benefits have kicked in and he is employed and undergoing counseling. He lives in Southern California.
“I’ve got a strong shoulder for him,” Martini said. “It’s heartbreaking to watch somebody suffer who fought for their country. Our incentive is to raise awareness and to inspire people to get involved with these charities, to improve how our soldiers come back into daily life.”
Email: Rushing.jt@stripes.com Twitter: @jtr1
