Experiencing Interruptions?

A Cost of Freedom

They fought and died in the Iraq War. They were not US citizens. Their families gather to collect their children's citizenship papers.

  • James Carey
    Director
  • James Carey
    Writer
  • Vivian Best
    Producer
  • Jose Antonio
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Political, Miltary, Immigrant, Citizenship
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 17 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    7,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Ethos Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 11, 2022
    Finalist
  • Gold Star Film Awards

    January 5, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - James Carey

James Carey is an award-winning film and theatre director, writer, performer and producer currently based in Atlanta, known for the films Divorce During Pandemic (2020), Fancy Meeting You Here (2018) and A Cost of Freedom (2008). His two features - Madly (2021-Co-Director) & Alternative Endings (2022-Co-Director) are playing on the film festival circuit. As an actor, he has appeared in Division (2021), The Warrior (2022 in post production) and the Color Purple The Musical (2022 - post production).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The people in this film are based on real people who fought for the US in the Iraq War. They were not US citizens. Somehow they were brought to this country and were raised here as green card legal aliens. One way to get full United States citizenship is to fight for the US Armed Forces - this is how these men and women died. Fighting to be a citizen of the USA. This film is in their honor.