THE KEEPER MOVIE
"The Keeper" is based on an inspiring true story of one Army Veteran, challenged by his own demons and searching for hope and answers while hiking from Maine to Georgia on the Appalachian Trail.
(Based on a true story) Heavily impacted by his fellow veteran's suicides, George Eshleman (Angus Benfield), an Army Veteran, decides to help raise awareness for military member suicides by hiking the entire nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. On the trek, he carries 363 name tapes from the uniforms of military members who have died by suicide, given to him by their families.
Along the way he is given the trail name of “The Keeper” (of the names) and finds support and comfort from fellow hikers, civilians, and military Veterans alike, in the "Hiker Universe.” This adventurous subculture forms a network of hikers that revel in their common purpose and an unspoken meaning of life that drives them down the trail and over the next peak.
From the beginning, George meets four unique, military Veteran hikers (Michael Maclane, Haley Babula, Andrew Ferguson, Nicholas Asad) who shadow his hike, motivate his efforts, and seem to keep tabs on him from beginning to end. Despite the support of fellow hikers and Veterans for his noble mission, his own depression threatens to overtake his judgement as he plots his own suicide along the trail. With his darkness only a few paces from his mind, George fights a daily battle along the trail as he struggles to prove his mettle, conquer his depression, and focus on the mission of finishing the trail.
“The Keeper,” is based on the life story of George Eshleman, directed by Angus Benfield, co-directed by Kendall Bryant Jr. with screenplay by Todd Tavolazzi and story by George Eshleman.
Cast and crew filmed for 3 weeks out on the Appalachian trail, in Georgia, Virginia Tennessee & Maine. "As we filmed we met many people along the trail who were Veterans, who had tears in their eyes as they shared with us personal stories of the pain they themselves have gone through – this story made them want to share their stories, and it was why we were there on the Appalachian Trail, and why we are here…to tell George’s story, and the story of the 363, and the story of the 22 every day, and the story of the countless number connected in someway to all those who have lost their lives and those who are losing the battle of a war that never seems to end.” Director: Angus Benfield.
"My focal point was sincerity and authenticity—essential elements in portraying the journey of a veteran navigating the Appalachian Trail in solitude, facing inner demons head-on. The film aspired to accurately represent the military and veterans, delving beyond battlefield experiences to encompass the challenges encountered in the broader landscape of post-war life. A key emphasis was placed on authentically depicting relationships, from the camaraderie and banter within the military to the profound bonds shared among members of different branches in the brotherhood and sisterhood of the armed forces."
-Co-Director Kendall Bryant Jr.
Watch the movie for FREE at www.thekeepermovie.info
