Laura Valera & Andrew James Gonzales

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As we move further away from the conventional wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, colloquially known as the Global War on Terror, the need for films like AMERICAN SONS (2025) is greater; it informs us, through powerful filmmaking, what we've lost.

AMERICAN SONS follows a brotherhood of Marines a decade after their deployment to Afghanistan, as they struggle to overcome the trauma of combat and the loss of their best friend, Corporal JV Villarreal.

I am joined today by director Andrew James Gonzales and producer Laura Valera for an important -- essential -- discussion for the Memorial Day holiday.

In this episode, we discuss:

• the world premiere at SXSW and how they were able to make such an authentic film about fallen Marines;
• why they were drawn to documentary filmmaking -- "I've always been drawn to documentary because I appreciate the realism. I like real stories. I don't like this. There's a lot of great narrative Hollywood stuff, but I just don't like this fake, happy ending in every movie, right? - Andrew James Gonzales;
• what should viewers expect when they watch AMERICAN SONS -- "They should expect to see a very real veteran story" - Andrew James Gonzales
• how the film was funded and producer Laura Valera brought together a variety of different resources to make it happen -- "If you don't get money from a certain organization and you really feel that they align, make sure you call, get feedback, apply again. The other thing that I tell young filmmakers is offer to be a grant reader" - Laura Valera
• the crucial difference between a director and a filmmaker -- "So a director directs the film versus a filmmaker does anything that they need to do to finish the film, which means you're taking on a role that you've never even done before, but because you have the vision of how to complete it." - Andrew James Gonzales;
• why don't we see more of these authentic veteran films in narrative? And with the release of WARFARE (2025) by another Latino director, is there something specific to the Latino experience in the military, perhaps with the emphasis on community, that highlights these kinds of stories?;
• what was the response to the film at SXSW?
• what's next for this film and the filmmakers?

Laura's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Tejanas In Film

Links:

AMERICAN SONS Website

Follow Andrew On Instagram

Follow AMERICAN SONS On Instagram

Finally, here are links to five soldiers I served with who died either in action or because of its aftermath, and I think about them often. There is this whole "inside baseball" amongst veterans that you should never wish a veteran Happy Memorial Day because it's a solemn event to honor our fallen, like somehow our friends want all of us to be eternally miserable every last Monday of May in honor of their sacrifice. It's petty when the meaning of the statement is kind and it creates a division between civilian and veteran that shouldn't be there, not on this day.

Sidestep all that noise. If you do encounter a veteran on Memorial Day, say something like this: "I'm sure this is hard for you. If you're able, I'd love to hear a story about someone you've lost, just so I can understand the magnitude of our country's sacrifice."

For me, I could talk about these guys all day. Enjoy the holiday.

Cody Baker

Gil Morales

Michael McGahan

Ryan Sartor

Justin Schmidt