Sat Mar 5, 2022 – 12:00 pm | La Casa Grande
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A Bridge Too Far From Hero Street
Directed by Kelly Rundle
Documentary Short
USA | 29 min | 2019
“A Bridge Too Far From Hero Street” follows William Sandoval’s journey from a boxcar in Silvis, Illinois to a battle in a forest in Holland. Born into an impoverished family of twelve, Willie performed migrant farm work alongside his parents and siblings until his father took a job with the Rock Island Railroad. The Sandovals and other Mexican immigrants made their homes in boxcars in the rail yard. As a young man Willie became an accomplished boxer.
Answering a call to service following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Willie became an Army paratrooper. He survived several battles over the next two years (Salerno, Anzio), before he was killed at age 21 in October 1944 following his involvement in the largest air assault in history–Operation Market Garden. An interview with military historian John C. McManus, the author of “September Hope: The American Side of a Bridge Too Far”, highlights Willie’s participation. Marc Wilson, the author of “Hero Street, USA” is also featured.
Eight sons of Mexican immigrants from the block-and-a-half long 2nd Street in Silvis, Illinois were killed in combat in World War II and Korea–more lost than any other street in America. The street was renamed Hero Street in 1968.
Director Statement
The writer and producer, Rosa SanMarchi, approached us out of the blue (digitally) to direct this film after a recommendation from a friend. Immediately after reading the script we knew it was something we wanted to work on. It was a thrilling experience to collaborate with someone new, who already had a vision for the film but was looking for other voices and opinions to bring it home. The collaborative spirit of our team really reflected what we were trying to convey on screen, that we are all better when we listen to one another.
Kelly Rundle
Director
Director/writer Kelly Rundle & Producer/writer Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films have been producing documentaries and other media projects for over 25 years. Kelly and Tammy are the recipients of seven Mid-America Emmy® nominations, more than a dozen film festival awards, Telly awards, film festival Official Selections and grant awards. They are the producers of the Mid-America Emmy® nominated historical documentaries “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe”, “Good Earth: Awakening the Silent City”, “Letters Home to Hero Street” (co-produced with WQPT), “Country School: One Room – One Nation”, and “River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6”. They are the producers of the Mid-America Emmy-nominated and award-winning docudrama “Sons & Daughters of Thunder”, and the award-winning documentary “The Barn Raisers”, “Movie Star: The Secret Lives of Jean Seberg” (co-produced with Garry McGee), “Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2 & 3”, and “Villisca: Living with a Mystery”.
Film Information
Director: Kelly Rundle
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Language: English
Runtime: 29 min.
Rated: PG
Credits
Writer: Tammy Rundle
Producer: Tammy Rundle
Music: Joe Soliz
Original Art: Bruce Walters
Key Cast: John C. McManus, Marc Wilson, Brian Behnken, Rufina Guerrero, Ruben Sandoval