Palm Desert woman produces film aimed at providing support and healing for veterans
A Palm Desert woman is the creative force behind a powerful campaign aimed at providing support and emotional healing for military veterans.
Her efforts include producing a documentary titled “Is Anybody Listening?”
The film features a series of interviews with 8 veterans from various branches of the military, some with combat experience.
One fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War Two.
Another fought in Vietnam.
“The main message of the film is that there is an unnatural divide between veterans and non veterans in this country and that it is so simple and beautifully effective if a non veteran just listens to a veteran,” said Paula J. Caplan, who wrote and produced the film.
Her interest in veteran’s issues began at an early age when her father shared with her stories about serving in World War Two.
Fourteen years ago the former Harvard lecturer began interviewing other veterans.
In 2011, she wrote the book “When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home”, which was based on her interviews.
She produced the film last year.
“The responses of veterans and non veterans have been uniformly not just positive but so enthusiastic and so moving,” said Caplan.
Paula says simply listening to veterans is a powerful experience for the veterans and for those who listen, and certainly therapeutic for those who’ve endured the horrors of war.
Caplan says listening goes a long way in bridging the chasm between war scarred veterans and those who haven’t served.
The documentary was produced with the help of many veterans, including an editor who lives in Moreno Valley.
The film has been screened around the country, including a showing at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in New York.
“Is Anybody Listening?” also has an endorsement from the National Veteran’s Foundation.
“I want non-veterans to see veterans as full human beings, not boots on the ground, not troops and not people who go to war,” said Caplan.
“Is Anybody Listening?” will screen at the Palm Springs Public Library November 4th.
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