Branches Book

BRANCHES

In the meantime... LIAM wheels the bike he was fixing up into view. LIAM (CONT'D)

Use this to get to the beach. It'll take you a while longer, but at least you'll get there. CLAIRE Thank you!

CLAIRE hugs LIAM. When she lets go, LIAM hands her the bike and leaves. He gets in a taxi and drives off. FADE OUT.

Works Cited

“2016’s Shocking Homelessness Statistics.” Social Solutions. Social Solutions, 09 Jan. 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.

Author’s Statement: Emma Fresco

1.4 million US veterans are at risk of becoming homeless. Of the homeless veterans, 70% suffer from substance abuse and 50% experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder ( Social Solutions ). These burdens make it extremely difficult to hold a job and keep relationships. After talking to a group of veterans from the program New Directions about their experiences reentering society, I became interested in the lack of help and rehabilitation offered to the people who fight for their country. I was inspired to illuminate the veteran experience through the medium that I love: film. My intention of this project was not to generalize or assume anything about veterans, as I have never experienced war or been a veteran. Everything I know about this subject I have learned through watching documentaries and movies, reading interviews and articles, and talking to veterans. I hope to illuminate the struggles and demands of war and what that can do to a soldier. I want to use my passion for telling stories through film to bring to light important experiences.

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