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You Don't Know Jack: A Montford Point Marine

In the midst of systemic racism and unyielding trials, an American Marine from the segregated boot camp of Montford Point challenges societal expectations, excelling at sports while overcoming great adversity to etch an indelible mark on the annals of the Marine Corps and the Veteran’s Administration.

  • Daniel Leonard Bernardi
    Director
    The American War; The War to End all Wars... and its American Veterans; Ultimate Sacrifices: CPT Jennifer Moreno
  • Daniel Leonard Bernardi
    Writer
    The American War; The War to End all Wars... and its American Veterans; Ultimate Sacrifices: CPT Jennifer Moreno
  • Trevor Getz
    Writer
    The War to End all Wars... and its American Veterans; Abina and the Important Men
  • Hannah Anderson
    Writer
    Hui Ying
  • Daniel Leonard Bernardi
    Producer
    The American War; The War to End all Wars... and its American Veterans; Ultimate Sacrifices: CPT Jennifer Moreno
  • Trevor Getz
    Producer
    The War to End all Wars... and its American Veterans; Abina and the Important Men
  • Jack McDowell
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Brenda McDowell
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Andrés Gallegos
    Cinematographer
    From Mexico to Vietnam: A Chicano Story
  • Hannah Anderson
    Editor
    Hui Ying
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    35,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • El Dorado Films
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Daniel Leonard Bernardi

Daniel Leonard Bernardi served in Iraq leading Combat Camera for U.S. Army 5th and 10th Special Forces Groups. His military experiences in the U.S. Navy also include tours at sea, in Europe, South East Asian and Guantanamo Bay. In his civilian life, Bernardi is a Professor of Cinema at San Francisco State University and director of the award-winning films "The American War" (2018), "Noble Sissle’s Syncopated Ragtime "(2019), and "The War to End All Wars… and its American Veterans "(2020), among others. Most recently, he founded El Dorado Films, located in El Dorado Hills, as a collective of filmmakers interested in the connection between social justice and the artistic possibilities of documentary storytelling. The collective work of El Dorado Films demonstrates a commitment to intersectionality, with stories in and out of the U.S. military.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As an Iraq War veteran and a critical race theorist at San Francisco State University, I feel deeply connected to Dave Culmer’s story of naivety, perseverance and healing through generosity. The Jock: a Montford Point Marine, part of our series on the integration of the U.S. Marine Corps, immerses us in an era of stark contrasts, following Dave, a young African American athlete, as he navigates both the intensity of military training and the systemic racism of his time. It's a testament to the audacity and resilience of those who demanded equality even as they fought for their nation's freedom. To me, Dave’s story serves as a powerful conduit for questioning our history and fostering thoughtful dialogue about race, identity, and service. It not only illuminates the underrepresented stories of bravery from our past but also seeks to influence how these narratives shape our present and future. This is not just a film featuring an American hero; it is Dave’s an invitation to a journey of discovery and reflection on the complexities of our shared history.