NEW YORK, NY (July 19, 2017) – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is proud to announce an exciting partnership with the new epic action thriller DUNKIRK, from Warner Bros. Pictures and filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The film tells the gripping story of the 1940 evacuation that was a turning point of WWII.

Opening on July 21, DUNKIRK features a multigenerational ensemble cast, including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy, Barry Keoghan, with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy.

After founding IAVA, our leadership recognized that film and entertainment projects had a unique power to define our experience and activate millions. Films connected to our experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the broader military experience, for better or worse, would tell our story to the world forever. As the voice of the Post-9/11 veterans’ community, with a massive and deeply engaged membership nationwide, IAVA has the opportunity to support and validate the best–and serve as a watchdog for the worst. IAVA can also provide historical, technical, cultural, social, technological and programmatic support that can ensure a project maximizes its impact, generates thoughtful conversation, and does no harm–by supporting the veterans and supporters long after the film is over.

For more than a decade, Academy Award-nominated and critically acclaimed IAVA-supported films have ranged from independent documentaries to box office blockbusters. We are proud to add DUNKIRK to this list, and believe it will spark a timely and imperative national conversation.

“DUNKIRK is a riveting film about sacrifice, heroism and unity–and a story for the ages. It’s an instant World War II classic that will spark an important national conversation about military service, civilian dedication and national unity in the face of an existential threat. It’s a testament to the heroism of countless courageous servicemembers and brave civilians who fought, died and survived in this event of mammoth scope and importance. This powerful film tackles questions and draws attention to urgent issues millions of servicemembers and veterans still face today. The film spans generations and could not come at a more critical moment. We have been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan for nearly two decades, yet the wars continue to fade from the national dialogue. Our nation’s veterans need our support, now more than ever. Especially since such a small fraction of the population has served,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA. “We are grateful for DUNKIRK’s contribution to the national conversation, and for the support for our community and for IAVA’s best-in-class programs and advocacy work.”

On July 19, IAVA’s Executive Director Allison Jaslow will introduce the film during a special screening of the film in Washington D.C., followed by a panel discussion hosted by Jake Tapper.

About DUNKIRK:

From filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy) comes the epic action thriller DUNKIRK. DUNKIRK opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in. The story unfolds on land, sea and air. RAF Spitfires engage the enemy in the skies above the Channel, trying to protect the defenseless men below. Meanwhile, hundreds of small boats manned by both military and civilians are mounting a desperate rescue effort, risking their lives in a race against time to save even a fraction of their army.  Nolan wrote and directed DUNKIRK and also produced the film with Emma Thomas.

About IAVA Films:

Soon after our founding in 2004, IAVA leadership recognized that film and entertainment projects had a unique power to define our experience and activate millions. Films connected to our experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the broader military experience, for better or worse, would tell our story to the world forever.

As the voice of the Post-9/11 veterans community, with a massive and deeply-engaged membership nationwide, IAVA has the opportunity to support and validate the best–and serve as a watchdog for the worst. IAVA can also provide historical, technical, cultural, social, technological and programmatic support that can ensure a project maximizes its impact, generates thoughtful conversation, and does no harm–by supporting the veterans and supporters long after the film is over. Dynamic IAVA members across America can see them first–and drive the national dialogue, in our communities, online and in the media.

For more than a decade, Academy Award-nominated and critically acclaimed IAVA-supported films have ranged from independent documentaries to box office blockbusters, and have included titles like The War Tapes, Restrepo, Warrior Champions, Fort Bliss, Crisis Line: Veterans Press 1, American Sniper and Max. These are the films that America is talking about–or should be talking about.