Premieres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / PBS app + Encore Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. on KPBS TV
In a powerful tribute to sacrifice and healing, the gripping and personal documentary "Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen" will mark Veterans Day with a poignant exploration of duty, loss, and remembrance, on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS.
Directed by Manny Marquez, the documentary follows the emotional journey of his brother, Marine Anthony Marquez, who, was deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, in 2011. His unit, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, suffered the tragic loss of 17 Marines. Haunted by their deaths, Anthony returned home with a mission to honor his fallen comrades. Over the span of three years, he carved and hand-delivered battlefield crosses to the Gold Star families of each Marine.
The film captures Anthony's continued dedication as he embarks on a 10- year anniversary road trip with his brother Manny. Their journey revisits the families, offering a means to memorialize their loved ones and share their stories with the world. The film not only illuminates the profound impact on the families that have lost a loved one overseas, but also showcases Anthony’s personal progress toward healing as he reconnects with fellow Marines and reflects on their shared experiences.
Filmmaker Quotes:
“‘Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen’ is a compelling testament to the enduring bonds of brotherhood and the ongoing quest for peace amidst the scars of war. This Veterans Day, audiences will witness a deeply moving story of honor, resilience, and the search for closure,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer.
Director Manny Marquez states: “It was so important for us as the filmmakers to make a film that could appeal to all Americans. After 20 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, our nation is divided in ways I couldn’t have imagined. My goal was to show that there are service members and Gold Star families out there that are still hurting from the loss of their loved one. We as a nation need to learn to walk with our neighbor again. This film is not antiwar, nor pro-war. This film is pro-empathy and pro-healing.”
Watch On Your Schedule: “Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” debuts on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2024, at 10 p.m. The film will be available to stream on the PBS app.
Starting on November 10, KPBS will present “Military Stories Week.” An extension of the annual GI Film Festival San Diego (GIFFSD), Military Stories Week will include a concert special plus local stories and documentaries that were featured over the years at GIFFSD. With nine different titles, there’s plenty of ways to honor our nation's veterans through film. GIFFSD returns May 7-9, 2025 with an all-new lineup of films. Submissions are welcome though November 11. For information, visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
Credits: Director: Manny Marquez. Producers: Ben Leiser, Anthony Marquez, Manny Marquez, David Naglieri and Steve Farr. Executive Producers: Lois Vossen, Rob Kaczmark, Ben Leiser, arry Poltermann
