ABOUT THE TRAUMA CYCLE...

The film Trauma Cycle.33 is an experimental narritive film that explores how Art, Meditation, and Love contribute to healing from the Post Traumatic Stress. The film uses unconventional storytelling techniques to examines the life and healing for a US soldier. The story pays respect to the service of our soldiers, while capturing the “Catch-22” ironies of the military industrial complex in America, and the systems in place to provide for those who have dedicated their lives in service. In fact the film’s title is derived from the book, and film “Catch-22.” But as the film adresses the next generation of soldiers, the next stage of war: returning home, the title Trauma Cycle.33 references the continuing expansion of the issue and the epidemic we are facing. One of the central characters Anthony is based on my father. A Vietnam War combat veteran, the story is based on his life and how art, meditation and love contribute to his ongoing journey towards discovering peace in a mind scarred by PTSD. In that way the film is a personal telling of my own family history. Furthermore, the first half of the film was shot as a classroom project with my cinematography students at Garson Studios at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. The project is part of my role as a film professor to expose students to alternative themes and techniques of socio-political filmmaking. I appreciate your support of Trauma Cycle.33 Project, Arts Education, and most importantly American Military Veterans.