A new film that explores the impact that going to war can have on a person’s mind.
Based on the true story of an untold viral craigslist ad, “The Plastic Men” is a psychological war drama that follows the story of Jonathan Teller, a Vietnam War veteran who finds himself suffering from PTSD after serving. As the story progresses, Teller’s hallucinations intensify, and he grapples with the idea of ending his own life to escape the memories.
Described as “bold, disturbing, and deeply human,” “The Plastic Men” portrays a haunting meditation on the ghosts that can get carried as a result of going through something traumatic. The film was directed by Samuel Gonzalez Jr., an Iraq War veteran himself, and stars James Preston, Aaron Dalla Villa, and Melanie Martyn.
Last week, the film premiered with a special screening at the Triad Theater on the Upper West Side, hosted by the New York City group One Man Army (OMA).
“They say art is power. But what is power without action? At OMA, we believe art is war—not because we glorify conflict, but because we believe in art as the ultimate disruptor,” said Aaron Dalla Villa, CEO and founder of One Man Army.
Following the screening, Gonzalez, Dalla Villa, and Martyn were joined by Preston and Emmy® Award–winning producer Gregori J. Martin and Rodger Pinto, Director of Policy & Advocacy for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) for a panel discussion. The panel discussed the film’s central themes, including trauma, memory and survival, and the ongoing need for veteran support.
“The Plastic Men” is distributed by Glass House Distribution and produced by Matthew Hearse and Gigi Gustin. The film is now available on VOD.
For more updates on future screenings and One Man Army events, follow @onemanarmy.nyc on Instagram.
