Jeffrey Wright-produced HBO doc ‘We Are Not Done Yet’ highlights heartbreak of veterans

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HBO’s latest documentary, We Are Not Done Yet highlights the hard road veterans face after they return home from duty.

Westworld star, Jeffrey Wright stars alongside several real-life veterans who attempt to put their pain into words through a workshop where they ultimately create and perform a collaborative poem that’s as hopeful as it is heartbreaking.

The film follows ten U.S. veterans as they attempt to combat their traumatic military histories through art, poetry and performance. At a workshop led by poet Seema Reza and Community Building Art Works, they share their fears, vulnerabilities and victories, using the written word to heal, bond, encourage and empower. Their work culminates in a live performance at Washington D.C.’s Lansburgh Theater under Wright’s direction.

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The men and women highlighted in the film find ways to cope and heal together on their individual journeys. Joe, a former Marine and single parent of an autistic son, uses painting to process his trauma. Valerie, a former Air Force mental health technician creates symbolic artwork to highlight sexual assault in the military. Today, veteran’s  arts therapy programs are facing financial cuts. Earlier this month, Kansas City mayoral candidate, Jason Kander, stepped down to focus on his PTSD. This emotional and powerful film is an important step in the right direction, bringing issues of PTSD to the forefront, while highlighting the veteran’s fierce courage as these men and women come together to insist that they are not done yet, despite their traumatic pasts.

“I feel a little used. I understand that the military has to keep rolling but I also feel that they should take care of the people that they break. There was a promise that if we gave our all that they would make sure we were well taken care of and I don’t feel that,” explains one veteran who struggles with PTSD.  

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Check out We Are Not Done Yet on HBO.