The Mission

The Korean War, also known as “The Forgotten War” has been historically underrepresented in the media.  With the “Greatest Generation” almost gone, the Korean War veteran, the walking giant, now assumes the mantle of the “Next Greatest Generation”.  This group of brave men who overcame insurmountable odds is fading fast, and their untold stories fades with them.  It is my humble privilege and duty, both as a filmmaker and a Marine combat veteran, to capture their story before they join their comrades who have passed on before them.  This story is important for the history of the Corps, the history of the nation, and the understanding of the future.  Most of all, it is important to honor these brave men who sacrificed so much yet quietly walk among us. 

The Chosin Few is a feature length documentary film about the Korean War veterans who survived the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.  The film will feature members of the Chosin Few recalling their experiences at Chosin Reservoir and speaking about their lives afterward.  Interview footage will be compiled along with archival video footage to produce the final product.  This is similar to The War by Ken Burns on PBS and the Band of Brothers and Alive Day documentaries from HBO.

The Chosin Team is lead by Brian Iglesias, a service disabled, combat decorated Marine Officer and filmmaker.  The crew consists entirely of former Marines who are combat veterans of the Iraq War, many of them wounded in action.  Every crew member has a film and video background and a dream to create a new life for themselves through filmmaking.  This will add a significant and therapeutic spark to their young careers.  Our journey goes beyond the interviews and enters a realm of mutual connection, remembrance, and healing.  We bridge the gap between the Old Breed and the New Breed: new combat vets capturing the story of old combat vets.  Several members of our team are graduates of the Wounded Marine Career Foundation, a program that takes disabled OIF/OEF veterans and trains them for careers in media.  As a supplemental piece, we will create a short documentary about our personal journey as we travel the country on this very special mission. 

The Chosin Few have contacted me and pledged their willingness to be interviewed on camera.  For many, this is the first time they have publicly shared their story, and for most, this may be their last chance.  Dr. Neimeyer and the Marine History Division have already provided immense support with oral histories, audio and video files, and historical documents.   z

The Crew

Brian P. Iglesias, Producer and Director. Brian is a combat decorated, service disabled veteran with 13 years of active duty experience, rising through the ranks from private to captain. He deployed twice to Iraq as an infantry platoon commander with 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Marines. Specific highlights include Honor Graduate from Enlisted Bootcamp, Marine Combat Training and The Basic Officers Course, as well as meritorious promotion to private first class, corporal, and sergeant. Personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and three Navy Commendation Medals, one awarded for Valor in Combat. Brian graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University with a film degree and was awarded the NROTC Marine Honor Graduate as well as the Undergraduate Filmmaker Award. Brian has over 6 years of film experience from development through post production. He has produced feature films, live music events, and his short films have been screened in various film festivals. Brian is currently the President of Veterans Inc, a veteran owned and operated media production company.

Anton Sattler, Producer. He is a Combat veteran and former Marine Captain. He served as an infantry platoon commander and company executive officer with 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Marines and deployed twice to Iraq, where he received a Navy Commendation Medal for Valor in Combat. Anton graduated with program honors from the University of Pittsburgh, earning a BA in Film Studies and English Writing. He was recognized as the first University of Pittsburgh student to win both the Montgomery Culver and Taube Awards for a series of short stories he wrote in 2002. Anton also worked on over 30 stage productions for the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh City Theater, and University of Pittsburgh Theater Department between 1999 and 2002. Anton is currently a freelance film producer and will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2009. Anton is the Vice President of Veterans Inc.

Jamil Brown is a Service Disabled, Iraq War vet who majored in film production at Emerson University. He is a graduate of the Wounded Marines Careers Foundation, which trains combat wounded Marines in Sailors for careers in media production. Jamil will be joining us on the road and will serve as our field sound mixer, camera operator, and back up driver.

Eric Cohen is a Service Disabled, Iraq War vet who is a graduate of the Wounded Marines Careers Foundation, which trains combat wounded Marines in Sailors for careers in media production. Eric will work the North East regional shoots as a Production Assistant. He will also be the editing assistant during post production.

Adam Turek is a Service Disabled, Iraq War vet who majored in film production at Emerson University. He is a graduate of the Wounded Marines Careers Foundation, which trains combat wounded Marines and Sailors for careers in media production. Adam will work our extensive Texas schedule as a Production Assistant.

Capt Andrew Shaffer is an Active Duty Army Ranger with two combat deployments to Iraq. He is also a gifted writer and director. A graduate of Temple University’s film school, his short films have been screened in various film festivals. He comes on board as a writer and will help us put the story together in post-production (there were plenty of U.S. Soldiers at Chosin too).

Veterans Inc.
Expeditionary Media
2009

"They say that making a film is like going to war. Well we've been there. Literally."