Part 4: Interview with 'Brothers at War' Director, Jake Rademacher

Note: Part 1 of this 4 part interview can be found here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here.

J.R. Head: I felt that one of the most important things about the film was that it allows the folks that are left behind, the friends and loved ones, to get a glimpse of a soldier’s everyday life. I served during relative peacetime but, even for me, it was difficult to explain what my day was like to my girlfriend, to my family… They were always imagining something bad happening. And, let’s face it, peacetime or wartime, sometimes bad stuff happens. We train hard, there are accidents and sometimes people die but for the most part you’re just doing your job. I felt like “Brothers at War” gives folks a good look at what really goes on and allows them to relax a little bit. Y’know, there’s not, say, a mortar attack every five minutes.

“Brothers at War” Director, Jake Rademacher: It’s a great tool for a soldier to allow loved ones a window, a good look at what life is like for them during a deployment.

JRH: Exactly. That being said, why should someone who doesn’t have a family member serving see this film?

JR: Because they are going to gain insight that you can only gain from being on the frontlines or in the middle of a family living this war on a daily basis. I had an advertising executive in New York say, “What I loved about “Brothers at War” was that you allowed me to ride shotgun on your journey and you never told me how to think or feel about anything. I just got to take it all in and make up my own mind.” I’ve had so many people thank me for not making it political.

When coming to see “Brothers at War” someone from outside the military family is coming in with a number of assumptions whether they know it or not. As an audience it is always delightful to be surprised, to make discoveries, to be able to have your perspective challenged and informed.

In “Brothers at War” they get to dive right in and meet these guys, as they are, while they are doing this life and death work, creating relationships that will hold a special meaning for the rest of their lives. For someone who wants to understand camaraderie and the special humor that comes out of living in this alien environment, this film is a good way in.

Insight and the intimate look into the inner relationships of a family is something that everyone can relate to. In “Brothers at War”, Isaac comes home from war and his daughter doesn’t recognize him. That happens in real time. This one guy told me, “You had three grown men crying back here. We all have young kids. I go away for a week and I miss my kids like you wouldn’t believe. I never really understood what those guys do until I saw your brother come home to his daughter after seven months. I finally got it.”

My agent at William Morris, Erik Seastrand, saw the film and asked me all these questions about my brothers and about my relationship with them. I mean, he really grilled me. Finally, I said, “Come on, Erik, you know what it’s like. You’ve got brothers.” He said, “No. I don’t.” The film was a way for him to better understand brotherhood. In the end, it’s a film about brotherhood set against the backdrop of the war in Iraq.

It’s also a film about an American family facing the crucible of war. I think anyone who wants to know more about who is fighting the war, the impact that it has on their families… I think they’ll find “Brothers at War” very interesting.

After screening the film at Notre Dame, (fellow ND alum) Brandon Tuley said to me, “I learned more in sixty minutes of watching your film than I did in four years of watching the news.” So, save yourself four years of watching the news and come watch “Brothers at War” (laughs).

JRH: That’s good. We should close with that (laugh).

JR: Before we do, I want to tell you a little about some of the folks without whose help we would not be sitting here discussing Brothers at War. First, my producing partner, Norman S. Powell, was really a mentor to me as a director and producer. As a filmmaker, he really coached me, taught me to trust my instincts, challenged some of my choices, and put a lot of love and time into making “Brothers at War”. His expertise and tutelage were a tremendous boon.

Many have commented on the excellence of “Brothers at War,” and a lot of credit needs to also to Bob DeMaio who did a great job editing the film. He understood what I was trying to accomplish with the footage, and his sensitivity and taste allowed all the layers of emotion and meaning to exist, bubbling under the surface of the film.

We have received repeated compliments regarding the cinematic look of the film. Sony featured “Brothers at War” at their kickoff event for NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) this year alongside Michael Mann’s upcoming “Public Enemies,” George Lucas and the Dallas Cowboys. Conor Colwell who shot some of the startling, beautiful, and at times poetic images in the first third of the film deserves much credit for the unique look. Marc Miller was instrumental in teaching and coaching us both in coverage and look. His years of expertise were invaluable.

Finally, there would be no film, without the courage of a number of small business owners from my hometown of Decatur, IL. After I had gone through my own finances, I had to raise a lot of money fairly quickly to fund the making of “Brothers at War”. I went back to my hometown and approached small business owners, family and friends to see if they would invest in my idea. These small business owners, family and friends voted with their pocketbooks to make “Brothers at War” a reality.

JRH: That’s outstanding.

JR: It’s true. The majority of the financing for “Brothers at War’ came from Heartland families.

JRH: My hat’s off to them. And to you, Jake. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. You’ve got a great film. Good luck with it.

JR: Thanks. It was my pleasure.

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I recently went to see “Brothers at War” again, while it was here in Los Angeles. The film has lost nothing in the months since I’d last seen it. If anything, it’s gotten better. Get out and see it. Asses in seats, people. That’s how we get more films like “Brothers at War.”

Semper fidelis,

J.R. Head

“Brothers at War” opens today in Peoria, IL, Shreveport, LA and Oakdale, MN. It will be coming soon to Carlisle, PA.