the Gray City
About the Film
A Film by Scott A. Huesing
A former U.S. Marine Corps Commander journeys back to Iraq to answer one question... "Did we make a difference?" It shares the fabric of war and voices of the men and women who fought - and those of the Iraqi people who helped us along the way in the deadly streets of Ramadi – The Gray City.
A groundbreaking production that shares with the world, for the first time, a look inside the streets of Ramadi and the people who live there. It examines life there now and the stories of those who survived some of the worst fighting in modern urban combat.
A groundbreaking production that shares with the world, for the first time, a look inside the streets of Ramadi and the people who live there. It examines life there now and the stories of those who survived some of the worst fighting in modern urban combat.
THE MISSION
During 2006, Ramadi stood at the height of the insurgency, the war in Iraq had heated up to the point that it was boiling over – literally spilling into the burners – and the streets and homes of everyone that lived amongst the fighting.
U.S. Marines and soldiers battled daily to stay alive, to fight and win. But they didn't do it alone. The people in the city helped. Brave men and women and children that were willing to sacrifice to make a difference.
U.S. Marines and soldiers battled daily to stay alive, to fight and win. But they didn't do it alone. The people in the city helped. Brave men and women and children that were willing to sacrifice to make a difference.
BACKGROUND
This heroic ride takes our team from America back to the streets of Iraq for an in-depth look at a nation still churning in the wake a bloody, relentless, and what has seemed to become an unwinnable war - told by the commander that lived it.
This important piece of cinematic work has been written to tell one of the most valuable stories to come out of war. Warriors still willing to risk everything to go back to Iraq to show the world our war and those who lived through it.
This important piece of cinematic work has been written to tell one of the most valuable stories to come out of war. Warriors still willing to risk everything to go back to Iraq to show the world our war and those who lived through it.
TELLING THE STORY
In war, there is always one constant – the children. This film shows how a generation of Iraqi's felt, how we fought to keep them safe – and how these kids, at times, made us feel more human if even for a moment.
A powerful connection and anticipated experience to re-visit the people whose lives were impacted by our actions as warfighters. Binding together a "social update" to find out if we were there for the greater good of a culture - one we knew little about.
A powerful connection and anticipated experience to re-visit the people whose lives were impacted by our actions as warfighters. Binding together a "social update" to find out if we were there for the greater good of a culture - one we knew little about.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The soldiers were there to fight and destroy the enemy in a city of over 300,000 – but we had to do it surrounded by the people. Some who wanted peace and stability - others, tried to kill us each chance they could.
This became their "normal." A world in which they were surrounded by violence and most certain danger. Some offered help, information, and food – but we could offer little in return. Now we want to know if we gave them anything – or everything. Hope.
This became their "normal." A world in which they were surrounded by violence and most certain danger. Some offered help, information, and food – but we could offer little in return. Now we want to know if we gave them anything – or everything. Hope.
A GENERATION OF HOPE
THE INTERVIEWS
The other 50% of the population that stood by as their country was torn to shreds during a brutal war.
Bypassed and disregarded by the U.S. military, joint coalition planners and their own government, Iraqi women never knew who to trust, or who to share their stories and voices with - until now.
Bypassed and disregarded by the U.S. military, joint coalition planners and their own government, Iraqi women never knew who to trust, or who to share their stories and voices with - until now.
The Women
Brave citizens who wanted to help at all levels. Government officials, police, teachers, and shop owners that wanted peace and stability. Their stories will shock and inform the world.
What did they think when we left them alone to fend for themselves? Did they feel abandonment or joy? Questions that deserve answers.
What did they think when we left them alone to fend for themselves? Did they feel abandonment or joy? Questions that deserve answers.
The Men
THE INTERVIEWS
A deep dive into what it was like to live an entire childhood in a country at war. Now adults, the children of this conflict share what they have experienced in riveting detail.
How did they view us then – and now? Will they see us as heroes or invaders? Only they can tell the story of growing up surrounded by chaos.
How did they view us then – and now? Will they see us as heroes or invaders? Only they can tell the story of growing up surrounded by chaos.
The Survivors
The U.S. Military and Veterans that gave everything to stabilize Iraq – and the exclusive conversations of those we fought against daily – our enemy that was hell-bent on killing us.
Never during an ongoing war have these interviews taken place. We can't wait fifty years to learn what really happened if we want to be students of history.
Never during an ongoing war have these interviews taken place. We can't wait fifty years to learn what really happened if we want to be students of history.
The Fighters
U.S. political leaders called it The War on Terror – but they got it wrong. You can't fight and kill "Terror" – only people. In war – people die. Lives change. Cultures are shaken.
This is the truth about a war that has been going on for nearly 20 years – America's longest war. The indelible impact it has made on our country, our soldiers, and our families is everlasting. The physical and emotional scars that our Veterans bear are countless.
The Gray City is not a story about war – it's about people. People that fight the wars, survive them, and try to make sense of them. It is our opportunity to show the world the true cultural and human landscape of two nations bound together by conflict.
This is the truth about a war that has been going on for nearly 20 years – America's longest war. The indelible impact it has made on our country, our soldiers, and our families is everlasting. The physical and emotional scars that our Veterans bear are countless.
The Gray City is not a story about war – it's about people. People that fight the wars, survive them, and try to make sense of them. It is our opportunity to show the world the true cultural and human landscape of two nations bound together by conflict.
THE IMPACT
We all fought for something, didn't we? For some, it was freedom, or liberation, or safety - for many, their very lives. But for others it was for money and power.
Didn't we all have something to lose? Something we sacrificed. Someone we lost in this war. Didn't we all bleed or suffer in some way? Didn't that combination of the friction and trauma under the worst conditions of humanity bring us closer, help us heal and try to make us better people?
This film will take us 7,000 miles across the world to find out.
Didn't we all have something to lose? Something we sacrificed. Someone we lost in this war. Didn't we all bleed or suffer in some way? Didn't that combination of the friction and trauma under the worst conditions of humanity bring us closer, help us heal and try to make us better people?
This film will take us 7,000 miles across the world to find out.
CLOSURE