How to Fold a Flag

How to Fold a Flag is a poignant and thought-provoking political documentary from 2009 that captures a stark perspective of four American veterans' lives post-war. The film focuses on Javorn Drummond, Michael Goss, Stuart Wilf, and Jon Powers encapsulating their experiences, struggles, and path forward after their service in Iraq War.

Directed by Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker, the film unfolds as a harrowing investigation on how the personal becomes political. It delves deep into the soldiers’ experience and their ongoing battle for recognition and respect after they have served their country and returned home. The movie is a journey into the hearts and souls of these former soldiers, from their war experiences and the legacy of their service back home, as well as their reflections of the war itself.

Javorn Drummond, an army infantryman, presents a life all too common for many of America's veterans, returning home to limited employment opportunities and the ongoing lure of easy money through crime. His story illustrates the difficulties faced by many veterans in adjusting to civilian life after they have been trained and conditioned for combat.

Michael Goss, a wounded war veteran, takes us through his life in rural Kentucky as he strives to claim the support and benefits promised to him and struggles with the physical and mental trauma imposed by war. This segment significantly places a dramatic focus on the question of how a society treats its wounded veterans. There's a simplicity to the way Goss's story is told that effectively underlines the injustice of his situation.

One of the soldiers, Jon Powers, a former army captain, embarks on a political expedition by running for Congress. Through his campaign, the film showcases the broader socio-political landscape of America and the role veterans play in it. His story highlights his endeavor to bring change from within the system by leveraging his war experiences to address the need for better care for veterans.

Stuart Wilf, once regarded as the class clown of his unit, is shown to be working transiently at an amusement park, demonstrating his battle against the isolation that many veterans face when reintegrating into society after war. He represents the many veterans who battle inevitable solitudes owing to the lack of understanding and empathy in society for their experiences.

The film is beautifully connected to the titular theme - 'How to Fold a Flag.' It refers to an American military tradition that symbolizes the honor, respect, and gratitude bestowed upon those who have served the country. The film's story threads are cleverly woven together to reveal what happens when soldiers' sacrifices are masked and forgotten in a politically divided society.

Moreover, it provides an unvarnished look at the Iraq War's aftermath, revealing the deep divide between war-front reality and public perception, bringing into focus issues of patriotism, sacrifice, and civilian disconnect from the military. The film profoundly questions – What does it mean to serve? And what does the country owe those who have risked their lives in its name?

Rather than glorifying or demonizing the war, the film employs the medium of cinema to expose the raw reality and toll of war on the servicemen and women. It illuminates the human cost of war, stepping beyond the battlefield to explore its impact on the social fabric.

In summary, How to Fold a Flag offers a powerfully human perspective on life after war. It provides an insight into the personal and political struggles of four veterans reintegrating into civilian life, emphasizing the complexities faced by many American service members following their time in combat. With no pretensions or sentimentalism, the film delivers an honest portrait of the struggles and successes the four war veterans encounter upon returning home, thereby raising significant and timely questions about service, war, politics, and American identity.