Gold Star Children, my second SLIFF movie of the year, tells the tragic but healing tale of kids who have lost a parent to war. The film specifically profiles two characters: Cierra, who lost her dad in Iraq, and Jennifer, whose dad was killed in Vietnam. Together they, along with the thousands of other Gold Star children, try to work through what that loss means, and how to move forward. You can see the trailer here.This was an incredibly powerful movie, and while the subject matter is heavy, I didn't find it depressing. Rather, the way that a young kid like Cierra can process what has happened without becoming bitter, and can turn it into a source of strength, is really amazing. Probably the most touching scene in the movie is when she is in a group session with other Gold Star kids and their mentors, including Jennifer. Cierra's younger sister says something about their dad, and starts to cry. Instantly, Cierra is transformed from the mentee to the mentor, and it is so clear how important this type of support system is for these kids.
We also had the privilege of having the filmmaker, Mitty Griffis Mirrer, there to answer questions. Her movie began as a Kickstarter project (also a good trailer on that site), inspired by her own father who was killed in Vietnam just hours after her birth. Now that the project is complete, she is working with the Department of Defense to get it distributed to Gold Star families. It's $10 to download the movie from the website, if you are so inclined.
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