This documentary is still in the process of being shot and edited. As of now, in addition to the battle scenes, it will primarily be dialogue scenes between US Marines and Afghan villagers. It will be an on the ground perspective into what it feels like to be a US Marine on the frontlines and it will give a voice to ordinary Afghans that are caught in the crossfire.
The documentary attempts to bridge the disconnect between the realities of what is happening on the frontlines in Afghanistan and the public consciousness of the war. I encourage you to post a comment- what would you like to see in the final full documentary?
Thank you,
Danfung Dennis
This site is made possible through the support of November Eleven and its sponsors.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Amazing work! A must see!! Thanks for your work. Be safe. Sincerely, Thierry
October 20th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Great looking documentary. I love seeing 5mkII set ups and yours looks great for war documentary. I can’t wait to see the finished piece. Keep up the good work for the brave men and women out there.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 am
It looks nice, technically speaking. But do you really need the slow motion effects and King Kong music? Is the subject so boring that you need to compensate with sensationnalising effects? If you consider yourself a reporter, you should report actual facts without trying to influence the viewer through artifically-created emotions.
But I might be wrong, and maybe the squadron leader motivates his troop like Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore.
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hi Charles, thanks for your comment. I agree with you that the original music was over the top, it has since been changed. The composer I had originally hired did not meet my expectations, but to meet deadline, I had to use generic temp music. I am, however, trying to break new ground by bringing a cinematic look and sound to documentary to reach and engage a wide audience about the realities of the war in Afghanistan.
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
Amazing looking doc! Well done. One more technical question. This stuff doesn’t have the 30P look. Did you apply an effect in post to emulate a 24P look? Good luck with finishing the film…
October 28th, 2009 at 10:25 am
As an Iraq combat vet of 2 tours. I must say that this is by far the most amazing piece that I’ve seen yet. The trailer is like a year of misery and combat wrapped up in a minute forty five seconds (minus the music of course). I can’t wait to see this.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
This is one of the most spectacular feats I have ever seen. I am waiting with baited breath to see the final cut. Beast in Health, Jerry Avenaim
October 31st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I think this looks really interesting & can’t wait to see all the footage. It looks really intense but I like to see what our guys have gone through over there. Thank you for doing this!!
And glad to hear the music is going to be scaled back a little
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
As a ex marine I can’t wait to see this. It looks pretty amazing so far, and I think the music is fine. It doesn’t deter from the footage for me and if it helps it reach a larger audience its fine with me.
Its hard to say what id like to see, i guess what we all want to see is something real. Not some overly processed holywoodized film clip that the news seems to show us.
I think the angle that you are working in may be the most important one of all. What is the civilian response to our occupation? I want to see how they feel. How we respond, and maybe somewhere in there lies an answer. At least its a step in the right direction.
Thanks for putting yourself on the line to do this, I’m sure if you were embedded with my unit we would have been giving you shit the whole time, but stay safe and keep up the good work.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I can’t wait to see this film! Be safe and thank you for documenting!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Hi Danfung,
Thanks for the fine piece of work and the interest from this and the advent of the HD video on the DSLR will widen for sure.
My feeling of the edit is that the importance of using a DSLR is on the editing and how we as journalists put across our subject matter.
As a stills news agency photographer; who has shot video on my MarK2; I feel that the work here is a tad Hollywood in it’s expression.
This is not a criticism but simply my feeling after my first view.
I feel that it is vital that we as journalists; and now more importantly stills photographers moving to video; keep in mind that we have not had experience in editing for video and the use of sound and interviews can make or break a video piece.
That said you work and the site are top quality and I respect that.
Good light from South Africa and I will watch your future work with passion.
Be safe.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Very interesting trailer, can’t wait to see the whole movie. Very interesting topic and also very interesting technique. I love to see the 5D MkII used as an instrument and not just to show how shallow the dof is etc. Thank you so much for sharing!
Stay safe and good luck to all the soldiers in your unit!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
If Robert Capa and Larry Burrows were working today this is the type of work they would be doing. Simply stunning work.
This is a trailer and not the final piece. The trailer has a specific job to do, sell the movie, and this one does it very well. I didn’t mind the music at all.
As a former PJ this brings up issues of the ability of still images to really tell a story, in a way that only a documentary like this can.
Back to my opening, can you imagine Burrows shooting “Yankee Papa 13″ on a 5DMKII as a video documentary? He could have pulled out the same stills that made the story famous. The world is changing for photojournalists. What Danfung is doing is the future, and if the trailer is any indication, he’s doing it better than anyone else I’ve seen.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Amazing looking trailer. Great shots… I can’t believe you’re out there risking your life to try n bring this film to the screen. But big thanks regardless… can’t wait to see it!
November 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Great! As owner of 5dII sending all my respect to your courage and strength!
Looking forward for the movie!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
A lot of emotions coming out from that trailer…you are doing a very good thing. I haven’t seen anything like this before.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:24 am
from the looks of it, you are going to give the audience a real portrayal of combat as American Marines survive it. anyone familiar with combat can tell you it’s realities rarely fulfill the mainstream concept which are, sad to say, fueled in large part by hollywood. many seem to forget that the ones out there fighting are human, just like us, and are fallible, just like us. some may watch this and think it has been dramatized, that in some way it’s not legitimate. but as someone who has lived the Marine Corps culture, i must say this appears to be as realistic as its going to get on camera. i hope that you did these Marines justice in your portrayal.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I just think its amazing that you were there catching the Drama of our guys in action!We truely appreciate the footage of my Step-son.I m excited to see the entire film! thanks again .
November 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Danfung,
Amazing footage! I envy you! I admire you! and you’ve inspired me!
I can’t wait to see the final cut too!
Stay Safe – We pray for you, brother!
Clarke
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I am nervous and excited all at the same time. Matt Weiss (the one that was mentioned as loosing his mind) is very very near and dear to me and it will be extremely difficult seeing exactly what he had to face over there along with the other marines in the Echo company. But on the other hand, it needs to be shown for reasons way larger than us. Looks like the full length is going to be amazing.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Hrmm… I think it would be appropriate to post something of Cpl. Sharp on your site like a donation fund for his family seeing as you put the last minutes of his life in your trailer. I will agree that I like this trailer and will watch the doc. But I feel as if you will be making some profit or even furthering your career in some way from this, which is fine and expected. But I would like to see something giving to one of the many Marines who paid the highest price with his life. Which is showcased in the trailer.
I am also a former Marine with 2 tours to Iraq.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:17 am
OUTFREGGIN STANDING!!! When is the release date?
I’m with Anthony regarding Cpl. Sharp. Not doing so could possible lead to legal implications by his family. You might want to start a sticky for donations going to the “Wounded Warrior Project”.
Semper Fi
November 30th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Thanks for your comment, Anthony. I hope to set up a fund once the full doc is released.This doc will also be dedicated to those who have fallen, including Cpl. Sharp. The footage of him was used to honor his sacrifice and with the support of his family. An interview about this with Cpl. Sharp’s father is here: http://www.thetakeaway.org/stories/2009/oct/13/frontline-obamas-war/
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 am
Hi,
When I first watched the trailer for this documentary, I was completely amazed by everything about it. Unfortunately, I looked into it more and viewed this website, which notified me that I had mistaken the whole idea behind the documentary. I thought it was about how terrible this war is, and how cruel and foolish the American soldiers are over there in Afghanistan, fighting in this sad reality that we live in, for unknown reasons. I thought it was to show people that there are many wrongs in this world, and we are being blinded by this glamourization of war. War is death, and death is the end of everything. When a human being is murdered, their entire world has become nothing, it has been taken away from them. No one has the right to take that away from someone. No one has the right to choose who lives and who dies. We were all born equals, and those who become less are those who lose their hearts along the way.
If you are reading what I am saying in the way in which I mean it, you will understand that I am not anti soldier, I am not anti helping and aiding those who are in need of it, and I am not anti freedom of thought and freedom of belief, I am only, and will only ever be, anti death, anti war. When will we all realize that destruction is not the solution to the growth of life.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I am veteran of a unit in afghanistan now. they replaced 2/8 echo company 1stplt. please make this as respectful and accurate as possible. and if u r now attached to 2/2 Fox 1st PLT tell them Frank says hi they know who i am
December 8th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
My son was in 2/8 echo and there with the guys in the trailer. I for one beleive it is important to see it as it was. As a father I need to understand what our marines day to day challenges are to be able to support them in every way I can. As an American, I need to see the reality and determine it’s worth to our nation. The trailer brought out emotions of both fear and pride. My heart stood still as I watched the men in 2/8 Echo fearlessly carry out their mission. I wait in anticipation to see the full version. You do it well, please continue to support our troops as you have.
December 12th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Danfung
saw your work first in the Frontline piece and then tracked it down online. it’s really stunning–and a feat of concentration that you managed to pull/hold focus with that sort of DOF. I hope you are able to find an outlet for the the longform piece. It really puts a face on the war.
Best,
Michael Tucker
http://www.gunnerpalace.com
http://www.pepperandbones.com
December 13th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Life while fighting a war and living in the middle of one is hard to say the least. I hope that you’ll include some “big picture” perspective.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Excellent work! The music is pretty badass, maybe it could be a menu option for those who prefer stimulation and sitting on the edge of their seats.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am
so interesting and well done.
I would like to see more
about what training do soldiers
get before arriving to Afghanistan
December 29th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
WOW! I was going to do my own edit of your footage from Frontline (for personal use), but now that I see you are making this project I can’t wait to see it completed. I have to disagree with Alan, if you want “big picture” watch the Frontline piece. Too many talking heads. Some explanatory narration would be fine if the action needs setup.
Whatever you do, please don’t follow Kendall’s suggestion of making some sort of propaganda film. Showing this real war footage does not “glamorize” war. But it does showcase the courage and determination of our Marines in getting the job done, and is a tribute to Cpl Sharp’s sacrifice.
I was quite interested to see the camera rig you are using, I wondered if the newer DSLR cameras could do something like this and you’ve taken it into the worst field conditions and done it! (Looking at the price I can see why you didn’t have an extra body.)
December 31st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I think it looks very good and I look forward to seeing it. However, the trailer or clip has been changed since the one that was up a few months ago… It was a very motivating clip, and I appreciated it very much. I understand it has been changed in order to avoid sensationalizing the story you are trying to convey, but that motivation is something that I have missed since an injury I sustained while in training at OCS… I just want to know if the old motivational version is available anywhere.
Besides the trailer really should be meant for marketing purposes, to get people’s attention and grab their interest, and I believe you can do that (and you did very well) and still maintain your journalistic integrity.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I first wanna thank you for showing the true side of this country, I was there for 18 months back in 07-09 and know first hand how shitty it really is. Please, evey one pay attention. Its real, Nobody is winning over there and the civilians are the ones who get punished every day. I can’t thank you enough for showing people the true light and emotions of what really does go on over there, great work!!!! FUCK CNN and all the media, they don’t know shit and it shows!!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
The trailer is amazing. I cannot wait to see the whole documentary, afterall its about time someone creates one. I am currently enlisted in the Marine Corps, i leave for bootcamp in june. My brother is also a Marine and he is doing a tour himself this spring. People dont understand why we have military personel over there, support to those who served and to those who are currently serving. SEMPER FIDELIS DEVIL DOGS KEEP MOVING FOWARD!!!!
P.S.
You should try to get this broadcasted on television, when are you planning to show it?
January 9th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Congratulations on some amazingly good work.
I spent some time in Central America during the wars in the ’80’s and wish I was young enough to do what you are doing and wish I had gear as good as we have now.
I also know what the personal toll for your participation in this documentary is also going to be, you will have PTSD just as bad as the soldiers in the unit, be sure to take care of yourself emotionally and physically.
Looking forward to an great doc. Keep at it, but try to keep safe. That is tough to do in an enviroment where everything is deadly, but try not to let your fatigue make you careless.
Good luck
January 10th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
The music is a bit dramatic but whether or not it’s appropriate is a matter of opinion. I think I will reserve judgement until I see the long form. For the purpose of a trailer, I think it’s a good use. Trailers are supposed to make one want to see the whole thing and I think you certainly achieve that.
The video quality is outstanding. Thanks for posting the tech info.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Just show the truth…Stay safe.
January 14th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
“For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother”
Semper Fi
Rhino6 sends/out
January 26th, 2010 at 8:05 am
when can we see the whole clip??
January 28th, 2010 at 11:37 am
The film is now being turned into a feature length documentary and will be released late 2010. Thanks for your interest and support.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Hi, great looking trailer. And very inspiring for a journalist.
Could you kindly answer two questions:
You said somewhere that the Mark II used to keep overheating and you had to switch it off to cool off. How did you reconcile that with the impulse that documentary makers have to “keep rolling”?
You’d stand to miss out on a lot, specially in a high-action environment like your subject matter.
Secondly, your framerate’s a 30? The Mark II cannot manage 24 at the moment. A software solution that will chug out the additional frames would make the thing a little too jerky, specially in an environment as full of action and movement as yours.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 am
Hi, I have seen your amazing trailer now about 500 times. When will the documentary finally be out?? Can you give any sort of indication? Spring, Summer, Fall 2010?
March 14th, 2010 at 12:44 am
What i like to see in this document is about the scarifice of the us marines , soldiers , sailors to protect the afghan peoples and America from terrorist. And i want to see how their life in the combat zone, so back home at least people can sore of understand how our men and women live, fight and died in the war zone.
So far the trailer is outstanding, i love it. Keep up your great work and stay alive to finish this document.
Thank you
Support our troops
March 16th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Would love to see some of the “Behind the Scenes” camera work with the Canon DSLR on Glidecam. Been waiting on this film for quite sometime, cannot wait to see it! Keep up the outsatnding work!
Thanks
S.O.T
March 21st, 2010 at 7:50 am
It’s time to admit the truth: the war in Iraq is due to oil and government contracts to private companies, not knocking down the Towers and killing so many Americans. The White House knew these terrorists were in the country and did NOTHING! They waste time and money chasing after Mexican illigals who do us no phyiscal harm, and are doing jobs most American lazy pelple will not lower themselves to do! QUIT LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT why we are in Iraq! We have oil resources here in American we could appropriate but for the goody two shoes who are on the side of minows, the gnats, the rats and the worms on the earth and care nothing about the people. Save the Whales, sacrifice the people! This country is being led by IDIOTS who are only interested in lining their pockets. WANT TO BE RICH? BECOME A CONGRESSMAN!
March 26th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
When is this coming out????????????????????
March 28th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
this is an amazing video I cant wait for it to be done you did an amazing job in capturing are company through all the hell we went through, Im sure you well do a fantastic job finishing this video it was a plessure to have you by are side filming are story.
April 20th, 2010 at 3:46 am
Cant wait for this documentary. Trailer is epic. Could you please let us viewers know when it is due for release? Thanks and keep up the good work!
April 20th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Late 2010.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Hey man… thanks so much for making this thing. It means alot to me and ALOT to other soldiers I think that will see this and say yes this is what the people need to see. Finally some one can bridge the gap like you can keep your head low and the film rolling come back alive and well. God speed to you, to the Marines and the Army.
May 11th, 2010 at 12:19 am
The footage looks amazing, I can’t wait to see the finished product.
My request is a simple one: make it as long as possible.
June 18th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Great trailer!
When can we see it?
Doc still in post production? Taking a bit long
Can’t wait to see what you got out of the 5d
Good Luck