New film tells story of war through eyes of Oregon soldiers
PORTLAND, Ore. – Using their flip phones and iPhones, some soldiers with the Oregon National Guard captured the grittiness of the war in Afghanistan.
And now their story has been made into a documentary by a local filmmaker.
In a way, Beaverton producer Gary Mortensen’s film, “Shepherds of Helmand” was inspired by YouTube.
While the video may be shaky at times or a little out of focus, he says he doesn’t think audiences will mind. It’s real, honest and straight from the soldiers who put their lives on the line to serve their country.
The video captures the chaos of war and the soldiers recount their experiences through interviews.
“It really takes you into their lives,” Mortensen says. “So rather than try to reproduce scenes or to go over (there) with a high-definition camera, you know this is from them, and you know it’s authentic.”
The small unit of Oregon National Guard members recorded whatever they thought was interesting and their efforts to train the Afghan army. It was a mission with mixed results.
“I saw other ones just charging, running straight at them … a bunch of them just jump in the trucks and drove off to the base because they knew where it was,” recounted Capt. Paul Dyer.
They also recall the moments they’ll never forget.
“July 15 was the first time that I shot someone,” Dyer said.
The Taliban attacked the Oregon soldiers’ small base every day for three months.
Mortensen said he hopes it will help the audience to get to know at least a handful of the young men fighting for them, including one who never came home.
“As a filmmaker, this is a really emotional journey, because I get to go inside their world, and I get to understand what they’ve been through,” Mortensen says.
In the film, the soldiers describe other challenges, including the 130 to 140 degree days and the difficulty of getting supplies because of roadside bombs.
The documentary has already been shown in Portland, but those who want a copy can go the film’s website and order one. Mortensen plans to show the film in Salem and Bend at some point in the future.
Watch the trailer of the film "Shepherds of Helmand:"
