RetuRn
A retired Green Beret returns to Vietnam for one final mission.
Watch the Trailer
RETURN is the story of adventure, vulnerability, and healing that follows Jim Markel Sr., a retired Green Beret who voyages from Montana to Vietnam for the first time since the war.
In retracing his steps with his adult son, he reflects on his past actions as both soldier and parent.
Together, father and son embark on a deep search: for long-overdue family healing, for the roots of PTSD, and for the mountain tribes Markel once lived with, fought alongside, and eventually abandoned 45 years ago.
Screenings
More screenings to be announced soon! Sign up on our mailing list by clicking the button below, or contact us if you’re interested in bringing RETURN to your area.
upcoming
None at this time.
Past
Nov. 8 - Nov. 11 - The Myrna Loy, Helena, MT
10.5.2024 - Jackson Hole, WY | Jackson Hole Center for the Arts
5.3.2024 - 5.8.2024 - Big Sky, MT | The Waypoint
5.18.2024 - Newport, OR | Newport Performing Arts Center
4.10.2024 - Missoula, MT | UC Theater [hosted by the University of Montana’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center]
3.29.2024 - Sioux Falls, SD | State Theater
2.19.2023 - Missoula, MT | Historic Wilma Theatre [World Premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival]
9.23.2023 - Billings, MT | MINT Film Festival
10.1.2023 - Sheridan, WY | WYO Film Festival
2.2.2023 - 2.15.2023 - Billings, MT | Art House Cinema [Theatrical Run]
9.24.2022 - Billings, MT | Historic Babock Theatre [Hometown Sneak Peek]
send us a line
PRESS
5.7.2024 | Explore Big Sky Film traces veteran’s return to Vietnam: a story of vulnerability and healing more than 40 years after serving
2.1.2024 | The Billings Gazette ‘Return’s’ return: Billings-made Vietnam documentary showing at Art House
1.26.2024 | Voice of Montana Returning Veteran Finds Peace in War-Torn Past
9.5.2023 | Splash Mags Documentary RETURN Plays Two New Film Festivals
9.15.2023 | Daily Montanan Film ‘Return’ returns to Montana for MINT film festival
9.15.2023 | Yellowstone Public Radio: The Dead of Night Return with Stan Parker and Pete Tolton
2.22.2023 | The Missoulian ‘Big Sky Doc Film Fest: A Green Beret's journey back to Vietnam’ (Mirror)*
2.20.2023 | Newstalk KGVO ‘I Witnessed a Beautiful Moment at the Wilma Last Night’
2.16.2023 | Newstalk KGVO World Premiere in Missoula for Documentary About Montana Veteran
2.08.2023 | Waste Division ‘Return’
9.17.2023 | Montana Free Press ‘What did you do in the war?’
9.23.2022 | The Billings Gazette Green Beret's 'healing experience' in Vietnam captured in new documentary
9.23.2022 | KTVQ "Return" documentary debuts in Billings, features Montana father/son veteran duo & local filmmakers
* Use the “Mirror” links if the links to the original articles no longer work or are blocked by a paywall.
PRODUCTION MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS AND OUR COMMUNITY:
Art House Cinema & Pub, Montana Television Network, Avitus Group, First Interstate Bank, Russ Plath Law, Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters, Kinetic Marketing & Creative, Computers Unlimited, Rebel River Creative, Montana Video Productions, Riverstone Health, American Legion Post 4 Billings, First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee
WITH GRANT FUNDING FROM:
The Montana Arts Council, The Greater Montana Foundation, and The Montana Film Office
