Almost Sunrise

Almost Sunrise

The previous year, China produced and released a highly unconventional film titled “Paths of the Soul.” One of its odd features is that it avoided censorship which does not normally happen in China especially with movies that depict Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism positively. Another unusual thing about it was that it centered on an over 1,000 mile journey by foot made by poor Tibetans, which was actually a pilgrimage to some of their religion’s holiest sites. The movie was inspiring, poignant and sometimes hilarious all at once. It seems unimaginable for such a trip to take place in America.

“Almost Sunrise,” a Michael Collins and Marty Syjuco (Collins directed, Syjuco produced) picture tells us about two Iraqi war veterans who take an even longer walk from Milwaukee Wisconsin to California starting from a war memorial. This is very much indeed a spiritual journey but not one towards worship; It’s about healing. The definition of “Moral Injury” appears on screen as the movie opens: It is described as “a wound to the soul” caused by acts committed “against our sense of right and wrong.”

In Tom Voss’ voiceover he says “I have a lot of military history in my family” while we see childhood footage showing him waving flags during early ‘80s patriotic events. Nine years after returning from Iraq this shot shows boarded-up buildings nearby his house in Milwaukee with signs reading “Peace In Our City” and “Peace In Our Selves” posted up behind broken windows; After telling how he could find only one peace outside himself silence fellow vet Anthony Anderson identifies another part of his problem: looking like Tom (they’re both tall white guys with big brown beards).

He says into camera: “I don’t want people to be around me so I make it intolerable for people to be around me.” He seeks help but adds bitterly (and accurately), “The VA as an institution sucks. Because they make mistakes and say it’s your fault.” Around this point the movie tells us that 20 veterans a day commit suicide, which should not surprise anyone.

According to the movie, Tom and Anthony undertake their journey to California in order to survive. Their early days on the road are full of frustration. One of his foot was torn up after Anthony had tried to walk too far. But eventually the guys find a rhythm and there are veterans and other well-wishers in every state they pass through. They spend a lot of time talking with each other. “How can a just God let humans do this to each other?”

One of the veterans wonders aloud after describing one particularly brutal firefight (the movie interpolates a fair amount of video footage shot in Iraq with the vets’ state to state trek). In an visually striking desert setting they meet up with a Native American vet, dressed in full ceremonial gear, for a meeting of perspectives.

What have they accomplished by the time they reach the water at the end of Santa Monica Boulevard, joined for the last seven miles by one of Tom’s combat buddies? Anthony talks about having had “some level of faith in people” restored for him. But while not doubting its value, especially as an illuminating look into deep-seated veterans’ issues, Tom says simply “By no means did I think that I was better.”

So the film continues with both Tom and Anthony looking for healing elsewhere. Some amazing things happen when Tom goes to visit a religious retreat and is introduced to another type of therapy. The movie then makes some powerful statements about “moral injury” versus PTSD and what sets them apart from each other which I found very compelling but others may not feel this way at all however regardless I still believe that it’s important for people who care about our soldiers coming home from war (which should be everyone) see “Almost Sunrise” because it tells such an incredible story.

Watch Almost Sunrise For Free On Gomovies.