Brotherly-Like Bonds and Big Ideas — Jane Minarovic’s Vision
Jane Minarovic’s plans include screening a captivating new documentary, The Interprerters, that focuses on the special relationship between U.S. soldiers and their interpreters from Iraq and Afghanistan and the hosting of an actual reunion of U.S. soldier and interpreter teams at the festival.
Inspire Film Festival Director Jane Minarovic is making plans to inspire us yet again at the 3rd annual 5-day Inspire Film Fesival taking place February 14th-18th in The Woodlands. To celebrate, George and Linda Turek, residents of The Woodlands and generous donors to myriad Veterans causes, opened up their White House replica home and West Wing charitable party venue in honor of Minarovic’s inspirational vision.
Minarovic’s plans include screening a captivating new documentary, The Interprerters, that tells the story of the special relationship between U.S. soldiers and interpreters from Iraq and Afghanistan and the hosting of an actual reunion of U.S. soldier and interpreter teams at the festival.
“Most soldiers and interpreters have not seen each other in many years and we will give them a much needed time to relax with their brothers in arms,” explains Minarovic.
In the Turek’s private concert hall, a clip of The Interpreters film was screened and U.S. Sergeant Paul Braun and interpreter Khalid Awda, subjects in the film, answered audience questions and got the crowd excited for the upcoming, larger soldier/interpreter reunion planned for the festival.
Interpreters were instrumental in allowing the U.S. soldiers to communicate with the Afghan and Iraqi locals, and allowed them to not only navigate the obvious language barriers, but also the subtlety of the local customs. In the process, the interpreters put their own lives in extreme danger (considered enemies of the state) as they were often targets of retaliation from the Taliban and ISIS. Additionaly, as one can image, the interpreters, whom often saved the lives of the soldiers they worked with, also became extremely close with them—forming incredible friendship bonds.
Approximately 40 U.S. soldiers and the interpreters will be The Inspire Film Festival’s Special Guests at the opening night screening of the film and will share their stories of camaraderie and humanity with festival attendees during the Q&A sessions and panel discussions.
The Interpreters will be one of the many documentary films celebrating the human spirit screening at The Inspire Film Festival President’s Day Weekend 2019.
Festival passes are on sale for the holidays. To learn more, please visit www.inspirefilmfest.com. For soldier/interpreter reunion, general sponsorship inquiries or volunteer opportunities, please contact [email protected].
