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Fri Mar 3, 2023 – 5:00 pm | La Casa Grande
Sat Mar 4, 2023 – 12:00 pm | La Casa Grande

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PTSD911

Directed by Conrad Weaver
Documentary Feature
United States | 82 min | 2022

PTSD911 is a documentary film about real people: normal, average human beings who have chosen to work in professions that require above average heroism, fortitude, and resolve.

These men and women have jobs that require a willingness to face things that most of us can’t even imagine, yet maintain a high level of dignity and professionalism. First responders in fact repeatedly see and experience things that most of us will never see, causing compound issues related to post-traumatic stress injuries and disorders. Suicide rates among first responder groups in the United States are much higher than the general population. In 2016, 139 firefighters died by suicide; and in 2019, 228 police officers died by suicide, nearly twice the number of officers who died in line of duty.

Both firefighters and police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Many first responders self-medicate with alcohol or other self-destructive and abusive behaviors in an effort to cope with the stress and trauma they deal with daily. And unfortunately, many of their agencies are not providing them a supportive environment where they can get help. If first responders don’t get the help they need and deserve, who will answer the call to your next emergency? Will they be healthy?

Our nation’s first responder agencies must provide a healthy and safe environment for these men and women to ask for help if they are struggling to deal with the trauma they’ve encountered. Our communities depend on them. Their families depend on them.

AWARDS

Winner of the People’s Choice Award
Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM), 2021

The Best Feature Documentary Award
Indy Film Fest, 2022

The Cercle d’or for Best Feature Documentary Award
Sherbrooke World Film Festival, 2022

The Grand Prix Documentary Award
Rising Sun International Film Festival, 2022

The Silver Award for Best Feature Documentary
Tokyo Film Awards, 2022

The Dr. Sydney K. Shapiro Humanitarian Award
Phoenix Film Festival, 2022

The Best Editing of a Documentary Award
Madrid International Film Festival, 2022

The Excellence in Editing Award
Docs Without Borders Film Festival, 2022

The Best Editing Award
Brussels World Film Festival, 2022

REVIEWS

“Truly a rare moment in Cinema… This film is a marvel”
Mélikah Abdelmoumen & Marc Béland, CBC Radio Canada

“An Exquisite Gem. Tenderness, wonder, & dignity…
a beautiful film about beautiful people”
Richard Propes, The Independent Critic

“Anyone who watches Dear Audrey will undoubtedly conclude
that Hayes is a masterful filmmaker”
Charlie Smith, The Georgia Straight

“Touching… luminous… truly magnificent”
Caroline Levesque, CBC Radio Canada

“Dear Audrey, a riveting documentary…
that stands as a powerful paean to passion and perseverance”
Evelyn C White, The Halifax Examiner

“…so many amazing lessons, stories, emotions with pain
and celebration intertwined”
Darren Wiesner, Hollywood North Magazine

“It’s impossible to watch this documentary, (a People’s Choice Award winner), without being overwhelmed by its sweetness and generosity”
Silvia Galipeau, La Press

“…an at once ethereal reflection on the enduring power of love,
and unblinking revelation of life’s steel-cold realities”
Chris Cook, Gorilla Radio

“The central force of Dear Audrey is the eternal, almost implacable force of love that binds people together through the most difficult times”
Dorothy Woodend, The Tyee

“Dear Audrey celebrates the very best the human heart has to offer, with such compassion, artistry and grace”
Terre Nash, Oscar-winning director

“A Stunning Love Story You Won’t Soon Forget!”
Indy Film Fest

“This love story will bring you joy, hope, tears and humility…”
Dr. Jen Hammersmark, Mind Your Madness

“…a beautiful homage to Audrey, to the couple’s
love and their family”
Nantali Indongo, CBC Radio

“Beautiful, touching … ‘Dear Audrey’ is a testament to
what Audrey was and what she remains forever”
Rob Wilson, The Bobr Times

“Poignant and could not be more authentic”
Amandine de Chanteloup, Le Collectif

About a decade ago I was reading Ian Frazier’s book “On the Rez” and a single passage haunted me since. “I had thought that Oglala heroes existed mostly in the past. But a true Oglala hero appeared in the late 1980s, in suffering Pine Ridge, right under everyone’s nose, while the rest of the world was looking the other way: SuAnne Big Crow.”

Heroes are hard to come by and many are lost to history. SuAnne Big Crow was a high school basketball star in the 80’s, who wanted to help save her dying culture. In our time spent with the Lakota, we discovered the profound depth of this untold story. SuAnne is a modern-day hero and source of hope to her Native people. This film is the result of eight years of working with and gaining the trust of the Oglala Lakota. The intention is to continue her message and memory, in service of preserving their sacred culture.

PTSD911 Movie Poster

Conrad Weaver, Director | PTSD911Conrad Weaver
Director

Conrad Weaver is an Award-winning filmmaker, producer, and President of Conjostudios, LLC, a video production company based in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Weaver received a Mid-America Regional EMMY® Award for his 2014 documentary feature, the Great American Wheat Harvest. In Early 2016 he completed his second feature-length documentary, Thirsty Land which is now available on Amazon Prime. His new feature documentary, Heroin’s Grip is in distribution and has received a number of awards including the Impact Award at the 2019 New Jersey Recovery Film Festival. He is the executive producer of a feature narrative film called Scars of an Orphan.

Weaver is a seasoned pro known for his compelling cinematography and a passion for telling stories that matter. “Telling stories that matter is so much more fulfilling than stories that only entertain. My responsibility in the world, is to leave it a better place than when I arrived. If the films I produce can play a role in that, then I’ve been successful.”

In his spare time Weaver enjoys photography, skiing, sailing, and traveling. Weaver has done volunteer work with orphans in Ukraine, Mexico, and Guatemala, and he serves on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the town of Emmitsburg where he currently lives. Weaver previously served on the board and as president of the Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association.

Film Information

Director: Conrad Weaver
Country: United States
Year: 2022
Language: English
Runtime: 82 min
Rated:

Credits

Producer: Nancy Frohman, Mark Maxey
Cinematography: Conrad Weaver
Key Cast: Dan Jarvis

Connect With This Film

BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF | Beloit International Film Festival