VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A new movie with production ties to Virginia Beach aims to tackle the tough subject of veteran post-traumatic stress disorder.
“My Dead Friend Zoe” has some big names, such as Natalie Morales and Morgan Freeman, and the movie, written by Iraq war veteran Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, explores post-war life. In its early days, the script caught the attention of producers from Virginia Beach who wanted to help get it on the big screen.
“He wrote it from his point of view,” said producer Jason Barnes. “And then, what war does to an individual and then coming home — his experience in Afghanistan and coming home and hearing what his fellow brothers and sisters were going through, and those that took their own lives.”
It tackles the tough subjects head-on.
Barnes said the movie initially needed extra funding to get off the ground. He and a group of friends in Virginia Beach read the script and immediately believed in its vision.
This group of locals then helped fund the production, and were even flown out to Hollywood for its filming. Barnes described it as an unforgettable experience.
“Ed Harris and Danni Morales and Sonequa Green were the most down-to-earth humans,” Barnes said. “They talked to us. They thanked us for flying out there. They thanked us for helping invest in this movie and keep it going. They were incredibly kind to us, and they were very, very good at their job.
Barnes did not delve too deep into the plot since he, of course, doesn’t want to spoil the movie. He did say it focuses heavily on military veteran PTSD and the subject of suicide. Its writer hopes veterans who struggle with mental health seek help after watching this film.
“Kyle’s goal for this is, if one person watches this movie and decides to talk to someone about what’s going on in their head, about what’s going on in their life and it saves their life, he determines this movie’s success.”
There was a private premiere at the Beach Cinema Clubhouse in Virginia Beach Thursday. It was released to the public Friday.
