YOUNG KING was an Official Selection at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. Written and directed by Bryant T. Griffin, this powerful feature offers a poignant and realistic portrayal of life after military service. The film effectively sheds light on the struggles of a veteran who seeks help from the government they served, only to be denied the support they need due to conditions resulting from their time in the armed forces. It’s an important film that highlights the often-overlooked challenges faced by veterans.
YOUNG KING follows Diondre Howell, played by Vince Washington, whose mental health status is on display as we watch him call a suicide hotline upon learning that his disability benefits for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been denied.
This is an important movie because it documents a very real issue for US Veterans, whose separation from service is Other-than-Honorable. The raw and honest portrayal of Diondre’s suffering is heartbreaking. At times, Diondre is calm and experiences moments of joy, but other times, he acts out or shows signs of his PTSD, such as waking up in a panic. His mother, Zoe, attempts to be a stabilizing force in his life. She is played with tenderness and compassion by Tarra Riggs. Her willingness to take a line of credit on the house to get Diondre private treatment is a testament to her motherly love.
The devastation of the final act to this film is beautifully shot, with Diondra flashing back to his inner child. During the final scenes of the movie, we watch how Diondre can still count on his brother, Isaiah, played by Vaughn Wilkinson. Wilkinson was terrific as Isaiah and the closing image of the film is truly moving. The camera work is dynamic and allows for an intimate experience of navigating Diondre’s post-service life.
Griffin shares at the end of the film facts about Veterans. Since it is worth repeating from the end card, “The Honor Our Commitment Act of 2018 was created to extend behavioral and mental health services to veterans who experienced war and military sexual trauma, regardless of their Other-than-Honorable discharges. The VA doesn’t always follow the law.” (Young King, 2024). While this movie never states nor implies that this law was not being followed, it does make a compelling case to those in authority to recognize how their decisions impact more than just the Veteran.
Melody Lopez, Producer, Filmmaker Mixer Podcast (posted by Madelyn, Filmmaker Mixer Correspondent)
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