The documentary examines the events leading up to and immediately after the 2014 crash of a Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon off Cape Henry, Virginia.[1] Three crew members perished in the crash, among them Lieutenant Wes Van Dorn.[2] The documentary exposed widespread reliability issues across both Navy and Marine Corp 53E fleets.[3][4]
The documentary was screened at the Mill Valley Film Fest with the Mercury News calling it "A high point in the fest’s documentary category"[6] and the San Francisco Chronicle calling it "A solid piece of investigative journalism."[7] The film was favorably reviewed by Film Threat.[8]
The Nation magazine called the film "a compelling story of how the dysfunction and greed of the military-industrial complex put US military personnel at risk, often with fatal consequences... Every concerned citizen and every member of Congress should see this film. Lives depend on it."[9]
The documentary was poorly received by Navy and Marine Corp senior officers, who declined to cooperate and described the documentary as "garbage journalism".[5]
Awards
Audience Favorite, Mill Valley Film Festival, 2018
Best Documentary, Monarch Film Festival, 2018
Audience Award, RiverRun International Film Festival, 2019
Best Documentary, Columbus International Film & Animation Festival, 2019
Special Jury Award, Workers Unite Film Festival, 2019
First Time Filmmaker Award, Newburyport Documentary Film Festival, 2019
Best Feature Doc, Jacksonville Film Festival, 2019 [10]
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