The Puppets who fought in Vietnam

This film explores themes of camaraderie, loss, and resilience, delving into the complexities of the human (or puppet) spirit when faced with the horrors of war as well as the tragic experiences and challenges veterans face in their post war lives.

This film touches on the draft of young men and the unfair burden it placed on them and their future. As a young man, my uncle Don served in the U.S. military and was a victim of MK Ultra, a now declassified covert program conducted by the United States government. Thousands of soldiers and civilians were dosed with LSD without consent, in some cases like my uncle, causing permanent trauma. I wanted to bring light to these Governmental atrocities and raise important questions about the responsibilities and accountability of those in high positions of authority for creating lasting psychological and emotional damage on these young men.

Our intention was to honor the sacrifices made by War veterans in general and bring awareness to the often overlooked experiences of those who have fought and still fight. By presenting their stories through puppets, we hoped to create a sense of emotional connection, allowing audiences to engage with the characters on a deep level.

We took careful attention to detail in puppet design, set construction, and cinematography, and aimed to capture the authenticity of the era and the struggles faced by these unsung heroes.