{"id":37178,"date":"2024-05-27T14:26:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T21:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/behindthelensonline.net\/site\/?p=37178"},"modified":"2024-05-27T14:47:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-27T21:47:33","slug":"angus-benfield-kendall-bryant-jr-honor-our-veterans-with-the-powerful-and-important-the-keeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/behindthelensonline.net\/site\/interviews\/interview-exclusives\/angus-benfield-kendall-bryant-jr-honor-our-veterans-with-the-powerful-and-important-the-keeper\/","title":{"rendered":"ANGUS BENFIELD & KENDALL BRYANT JR honor our veterans with the powerful and important, THE KEEPER – Exclusive Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An exclusive interview with co-directors ANGUS BENFIELD and KENDALL BRYANT JR, USMC (retired) discussing the emotionally powerful THE KEEPER; “No one walks the trail alone.”<\/p>\n

SYNOPSIS:\u00a0 Based on a true story, THE KEEPER is the story of Army veteran George Eshleman. Heavily impacted by his fellow veteran’s suicides, Eshleman decides to help raise awareness of military member suicides by hiking the full Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia while carrying 363 name tapes from the uniforms of military members who committed suicide. He is given the trail name \u201cThe Keeper\u201d (of the names) by a special group of veterans he meets along the way, and finds support and comfort from fellow hikers, civilians, and other military veterans alike, in the “Hiker Universe.\u201d Despite their support, his depression threatens to overtake his judgment as the days pass. With his darkness only a few paces from his mind as he travels the trail, George struggles to prove his mettle, conquer his depression, and focus on the mission.<\/em><\/p>\n

Co-directed by ANGUS BENFIELD and KENDALL BRYANT JR, THE KEEPER is written by Todd Tavolazzi (U.S. Navy) and stars Angus Benfield as “The Keeper” along with Andrew Ferguson (“Taz”), Michael Maclane (“Mini Me”), Haley Babula (“Peanut”), Nicholas Asad (“Bacon”), and Judah Bonza (“Bug”), among others.<\/p>\n

Speaking with AGNUS BENFIELD and KENDALL BRYANT JR about THE KEEPER was a joyful experience.\u00a0 As you will hear in this interview, both are passionate about telling George Eshleman’s story with authenticity and respect, honoring both Eshleman and the memories of those soldiers whose name tags he carried on his journey while bringing this story to life with honesty. The issue of veteran suicides (22 veterans die from suicide each day) is rarely addressed in public let alone be the subject of a film, but that is exactly why it was important for Angus and Kendall to make this film, and for the public to see it.<\/p>\n

Discussing the importance of authenticity and personal experience in storytelling, particularly in the context of making a film based on a true story, Angus and Kenny also share their personal experiences working on the film, highlighting the impact of storytelling on mental health awareness and healing.\u00a0 \u00a0While Angus is a seasoned director and actor, THE KEEPER marks Kenny’s first feature film direction (he has previously directed shorts), and with Angus in front of the camera for more than 50% of the film, collaboration between them was key.<\/p>\n

As we dig into the “making of” THE KEEPER, you’ll hear them discuss, among others:<\/p>\n