Watch How to Fold a Flag

How to Fold a Flag is a feature-length documentary that captures the lives of four Iraq War veterans as they try to readjust to civilian life in the United States after their military service. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the struggles that veterans face once they return home. The four veterans at the center of the film are Javorn Drummond, Michael Goss, Stuart Wilf, and Jon Powers. Each of them brings a unique perspective to the film, having served in different units and roles during their time in Iraq. While the film focuses on their post-war experiences, it also includes footage and interviews from their time in combat, providing context for their journey back home.

The film is structured around a road trip that the four veterans take across the United States, visiting places that hold significance for them and reconnecting with old friends and family. The road trip serves as a framing device for the film, allowing the viewer to see the veterans in a variety of contexts and highlighting the different challenges they face as they try to move on from their time in Iraq.

At its core, How to Fold a Flag is a film about trauma and its aftermath. The veterans in the film have all experienced significant trauma during their time in Iraq, and they continue to grapple with the effects of that trauma even after they return home. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of the struggles that veterans face, from substance abuse and homelessness to difficulty finding employment and navigating the VA system.

Despite the heavy subject matter, however, the film also offers moments of hope and connection. One of the most moving scenes in the film occurs when the veterans visit Walter Reed Medical Center to meet with wounded soldiers who are still in the hospital. The veterans share stories and offer words of encouragement to the soldiers, creating a sense of camaraderie and support that is often lacking in civilian life.

Throughout the film, the veterans are candid and introspective about their experiences. They talk openly about the challenges of readjusting to civilian life and the toll that war has taken on their mental and physical health. One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the way it highlights the diversity of experiences among veterans, from those who have found a sense of purpose and community in activism to those who struggle with depression and isolation.

The film also raises important questions about the larger societal context in which veterans are returning home. Through interviews with politicians and experts, the film explores the ways in which the government has failed to adequately support veterans and address the root causes of the issues they face.

Overall, How to Fold a Flag is a powerful and important film that offers a nuanced and empathetic look at the lives of Iraq War veterans. It is a reminder of the sacrifice that these men and women have made on behalf of their country, and a call to action for all of us to do more to support them as they try to move on from their time in combat.

How to Fold a Flag is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.