Sinise Supports 'Brothers At War'

By Rachel
March 13, 2009 - 11:35 PM

CSI: New York star Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) produced the documentary Brothers at War to show what is really happening in Iraq.

Sinise became a part of Brothers at War because he wanted to bring attention to the men and women in the United States military. "I have a profound respect for people who serve," the actor told the Chicago Tribune. The film was directed by Jake Rademacher, who said Sinise "really stepped up" to help create the documentary. "He's been working really hard about getting the word out and telling them this is one they've been waiting for," Rademacher shared with the Jacksonville Daily News.

"This movie is not going to be your typical blood-and-guts, negative, depressing thing about Iraq," Sinise explained. "What's great about this film is there's a personal investment, because the filmmaker is making it about his family." Rademacher decided to follow his two younger brothers to Iraq. Captain Isaac Rademacher is an Army officer stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, and Staff Sergeant Joe Rademacher is an instructor at Sniper School in Ft. Benning, Georgia.

The experience changed Rademacher's view of the war. "My perception was what anyone's would be from watching the media, but I was informed by my brother Isaac that I was misinformed," Rademacher said. "I took the extraordinary step with a production team of going to Iraq and finding the truth myself." The truth also led Rademacher back home to see the impact the war has on the families of those who serve in the military. "They were reluctant at first, but once they started to see what I was accomplishing they started opening up," Rademacher revealed. "I think they realized that what military families go through is something that American families need to know. Through one family we get to tell the story of many families and bring cameras into a intimate part of their lives."

Brothers at War opened Friday at select theaters in military towns, and it will open in other theaters in subsequent weeks. The documentary has earned the G.I. Film Festival's best documentary award and the Solstice Film Festival grand jury prize. Members of the nonprofit group Soldiers' Angels will be at each screening to encourage viewers to support the men and women serving in the military. "Fewer people serving in the military means fewer Americans have personal knowledge of the sacrifices and challenges of military life," explained Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader in a press release. "Brothers at War helps bridge that divide. The story of these heroes needs to be told, and our soldiers need to know their service is appreciated and that they are not forgotten."

Sinise said the documentary will give viewers "another perspective" of the war in Iraq. "To me, it makes me feel good about the people we have defending our country and the sacrifices of the military families," he said. "It makes me feel proud, and I'm proud to be a part of this film."

The original articles are from the Chicago Tribune, the Jacksonville Daily News and PR Newswire. Opening dates and venues can be found here. You can also check out the official websites for Brothers at War and Soldiers' Angels. Here is the official trailer for the movie: