Farmer/Veteran

Farmer/Veteran is an emotionally charged, thoughtful, and inspiring documentary that delicately weaves together the narratives of two complex identities – a farmer and a military veteran. Directed by Alix Blair, Jeremy Lange, and D.L. Anderson, the film takes an intimate approach in exploring the life of Fred Curtis-Lewis and Alexander Sutton, two extraordinary individuals whose narratives speak volumes about the entire landscape of war veterans across America.

The film opens in the heart of North Carolina, introducing us to Alexander Sutton, a charismatic, humorous individual who served in Iraq during some of the worst violence. The film doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of his military past, instead offering it as integral to understanding his present situation. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a constant specter from his years in service; however, Sutton's approach to deal with his trauma is unusual and unique: farming.

We accompany Sutton on his farming journey as he returns to his land after service, using farming as expressive therapy to cope with the painful memories of his tours in Iraq. From sun up to sun down, Sutton pours his energy into nurturing the land, growing everything from bees to ducks, hoping that this act of creation and growth will help him face the destruction he has seen and participated in.

Parallel to this narrative, the film also reveals the story of Fred Curtis-Lewis, a military man marred by a complex past while fighting the disturbing effects of exposure to toxic burn pits during one of his deployments. A powerful metaphor emerges as Fred turns a new leaf and embarks on a healing process alongside Sutton. Their shared commitment to beginning anew paints a poignant portrait of post-war healing that feels both distinctively personal and universally resonant.

In Farmer/Veteran, viewers witness the transformative power farming has over Sutton and Lewis. The fruits of their labor, not just in terms of produce, but life renewed, offers an insightful glance into therapeutic farming and its potential for mental health rehabilitation. The sensitive portrayal of PTSD takes on a new depth through this lens, and the directors succeed in presenting it with respect and understanding.

The film impresses upon its audience not just the unity of the two protagonists brought together by their experiences but also the common ground they find in farming. A sense of serenity and tranquility that their former lives didn't offer them burns brightly on screen even when hidden beneath the weight of their shared military past.

The makers of this film artfully present the complicated emotional world of the protagonists while candidly depicting to some degree the often sanitized world of war and military service. The juxtaposition of war's destruction and farming's nurturing is a hard-hitting, deeply moving depiction of these veterans' realities.

The cinematography of the film adds to the hard-hitting storyline. Frames beautifully capture the struggle, resilience, and peaceful moments of Sutton's and Lewis's lives. The sweeping fields, the lush greenery, the every-day acts of farming are caught on camera with such tenderness that it almost feels poetic and starkly contrasts the brutal, unflinching descriptions of their past experiences.

Interestingly, the movie also touches upon the relationships these veterans have. Here, Sutton's relationship with his wife Jessica becomes particularly revealing. Her patience, resilience, and understanding offer another window into the intricacies of veterans' lives, one that often goes unexplored.

Finally, the film subtly makes the audience participants of Sutton's and Lewis's journeys, rooting for their recovery, fear their setbacks, and admiring their strength. It holds up a mirror to society's treatment and perception of veterans and even raises questions about how veterans can best be assisted in their daunting journey to heal and reintegrate into society post-war.

Farmer/Veteran is beyond a simple story of a military veteran turning to farming for solace. It is a questioning and exploration of the human spirit, resilience, trauma, recovery, and the extraordinary capacity within every individual to mend and heal. It’s a must-watch for those eager to delve into an up-close narrative of the human side of war and the unique journeys of healing that follow.