Livingbattlefield.org will present three public screenings of films from the acclaimed World War II documentary trilogy The American Road to Victory at venues in South Carolina in the winter of 2011 – 2012. Each screening will be followed by a conversation with a local veteran and with the scholar/filmmaker, Richard Lanni, or a local historian. SC Humanities supported these screenings with a Mini Grant in November 2011.
The American Road to Victory series is comprised of three films: The Americans on D-Day, The Americans on Hell’s Highway, and The Americans in the Bulge. Hosted by Ellwood von Seibold, the series gives fast-paced tours of the battlefields of Europe, punctuated with archival clips, re-enactments, and interviews with veterans.
The three scheduled South Carolina screenings and discussions are:
Saturday, December 3, 2011 | 2:30 p.m.
Screenings of The Americans on D-Day and The Americans on Hell’s Highway
Followed by discussion with WWII veteran Earl Norwood and filmmaker Richard Lanni
Strand Cinema, 710 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29440
Open to the public; tickets are $7 per person or $5 for members
Info: 803-429-7500
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 | 6:00 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Colleton County Library, 600 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 | 6:00 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Orangeburg County Library, 510 Louis Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | 3:00 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Florence County Library, 509 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Friday, February 10, 2012 | 6:00 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Greenville County Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC 29601
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Saturday, February 11, 2012 | 12:30 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Calhoun County Library, 900 FR Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 | 2:00 p.m.
Screening of The Americans in the Bulge
Followed by discussion with a local veteran and/or filmmaker Richard Lanni
Sumter County Library, 111 North Harvin Street, Sumter, SC
Free and open to the public
Info: 803-429-7500
Heidi Mehltretter, Executive Director for Livingbattlefield.org, said, “There is something magical that happens when veterans watch these films and then share their personal memories with the audience. No one leaves this experience untouched.”
Livingbattlefield.org is a South Carolina non-profit corporation. People wishing to obtain more information or purchase copies of the films should visit www.livingbattlefield.org. In addition, the filmmakers continue to engage new viewers and report new stories on World War II veterans through their blog, http://livingbattlefield.blogspot.com.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. SC Humanities programs and initiatives are balanced, reflecting sensitivity to the diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations.
