Media

Netflix Original Film War Machine Starring Brad Pitt Partners with IAVA to Support Vets Ahead of Memorial Day

May 24, 2017
Press

NEW YORK, NY (May 24, 2017) – Ahead of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with War Machine, a new film from Netflix and Plan B starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall and Sir Ben Kingsley launching May 26th on Netflix around the world.

IAVA is partnering with War Machine to educate and engage the public on the most important issues regarding the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the sacrifices of our military in the post-9/11 world, and pressing needs of over 3 million returning veterans.

Specifically, IAVA and War Machine will bring attention to IAVA’s innovative #GoSilent digital activation campaign, to remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, and to honor those fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq. War Machine will also encourage viewers to support IAVA’s programs for veterans.

“IAVA is proud to partner with the Netflix original film War Machine starring Brad Pitt to bring attention to our critical work to support Post-9/11 veterans. We’ve been at war in Afghanistan for fifteen years, yet for too many, it’s forgotten. Many in our community refer to it as ‘Forgotistan’. Thousands of troops are serving there right now, and as we learned this week, there is a possibility that more troops will be ordered to deploy there in the coming months. War fatigue is real, and IAVA appreciates an opportunity to connect more civilians with our important work through this film. Many of our members fought in and continue to fight in Afghanistan today. And like America’s involvement in Afghanistan, this film will generate conversation. It will also engage millions of Americans at an important time. War Machine is a film that highlights the enormity, difficulty and complexity of America’s exceptionally long conflict in Afghanistan,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA. “Films like War Machine are a critical way for our veterans community to educate and engage the public that is too often disconnected from our experiences. Alongside IAVA, War Machine will help the public at large remember the ‘forgotten war’ this Memorial Day.”

IAVA and War Machine invite all who watch the film to pledge to #GoSilent with Americans everywhere on Memorial Day in order to remember and honor the fallen.

Plan B Entertainment said, “The cast and producers of War Machine are humbled to partner with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. IAVA is a critical voice for Post-9/11 veterans. IAVA programs change history and change lives, and we’re proud that our film encourages the conversation to help support that critical work. Our veterans are above politics and we hope all Americans will step up and support them this Memorial Day – and every day. We hope this film will, in some small way, better connect people with our courageous military, veterans and their families.”

About War Machine:
In a film for our times, writer-director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an anti-establishment, pro-soldier exploration in the form of an absurdist war story of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad Pitt’s sly take on a successful, charismatic four-star general who leapt in like a rock star to command NATO forces in Afghanistan, only to be taken down by his own hubris and a journalist’s no-holds-barred expose. War Machine addresses the debt we owe to soldiers to question the purposes to which they are being directed.

The Netflix original film is inspired by the book The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by the late journalist Michael Hastings. Joining Pitt in War Machine is a highly decorated cast including Emory Cohen, RJ Cyler, Topher Grace, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, John Magaro, Scoot McNairy, Will Poulter, Alan Ruck, Lakeith Stanfield, Josh Stewart, Meg Tilly, Tilda Swinton and Sir Ben Kingsley. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Ian Bryce serve as producers. James W. Skotchdopole, Pauline Fischer and Sarah Esberg serve as executive producers. The film will be released on Netflix on May 26, 2017.

About IAVA Films:
IAVA has continuously leveraged our relationships with the film and entertainment communities — from partnering with and producing films that engage the veteran community and help bridge the military-civilian divide. These Academy Award-nominated and critically acclaimed films have ranged from independent documentaries to commercial blockbusters. Furthermore, IAVA and IAVA’s Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff have also served as producers on several films, including Warrior Champions (Co-executive producer); Reserved to Fight (Associate producer); Jerabek (Executive producer); and When I Came Home (Associate producer).

#GoSilent: IAVA launched its 6th annual #GoSilent digital activation campaign to remind all Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the leading Post-9/11 veteran empowerment organization (VEO) with the most diverse and rapidly growing membership in America. As a non-profit founded in 2004, IAVA’s mission is to connect, unite and empower Post-9/11 veterans. Celebrating its 11th year anniversary, IAVA has connected more than 1.2 million veterans with resources and community, and provided more than 7,300 veterans with personalized support from IAVA’s Master’s level social workers.

###