The Tale of Two Documentaries
By Zee Matulonis
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I saw two documentaries in the past two weeks centering on battles. "Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars",is about the battle to preserve our environment, and the other, “Who Will Stand”, is about the physical and mental battle endured by returning war veterans.
“Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars” which is narrated by Robert Redford and co-produced by The Redford Center at the Sundance Preserve and Alpheus Media, was shown Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at Paris Las Vegas. The film follows the Texas Coal Wars by Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition as they battle to prevent the construction of 19 conventional coal-fired power plants proposed for Eastern and Central Texas. The second film, “Who Will Stand”, produced and directed by a Las Vegas crew, follows the battles of returning veterans from both Middle East and Vietnam wars had its Red Carpet Premiere, Wednesday September 24 at the Brendan’s Theater inside the Palms.
The Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition champion was Laura Miller, then Dallas’ Mayor. It was a real struggle for her to convince the smaller Texas cities to join the coalition. These smaller cities were necessary because they were the ones immediately affected by the proposed plants. However most of them were unwilling to join. They were not worried about the pollution problems and even supported them because of the jobs they would bring to the area. But luck was on Miller’s side when many of the residents of those areas discovered plans to bring trains that would infringe on their farms and ranches to transport the coal to the plants. Finally the coalition succeeded in getting the plants reduced from 19 to 3. However those three remaining plants would be the biggest air polluters. So the battles still continues in Texas.
Besides Las Vegas “Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars were simultaneously shown in Reno and Elko. This film is relevant to be shown in Nevada because of the three proposed power plants to be constructed in Nevada. It is hoped that the film will motivate and instruct people on what can be done if they get together.
There was a panel discussion following the screening, with Dave Burns, host for KNPR Nevada moderating the discussion. The panel included Chris Guinchigliani, Clark County Commissioner; Chris Brooks, representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 and Owner of Bombard Electric; Kate Marshall, Nevada State Treasure and Rose Mc Kinney,-James, Former Nevada Public Utilities Commissioner.
 Dave Berns Moderator , KNPR state of Nevada Host
 Chris Brooks
 Rose McKinney-James
 Kate Marshall, Nevada State Treasurer
 Chris Giunchigliani
The discussion varied in content. Marshall centered on the costs. She said that when Nevada Power comes up for review in 2009 all energies need to be brought to the table and it should include the question “What is the best way to provide Nevada with the best efficient energy at the lowest cost and its not coal power plants?" Mc Kinney-James brought up the fact that Nevada could lead the way with new alternative energies that will bring new jobs and that perhaps we could export it to help pay for it. Brooks concerns centered on the uncertainty of the tax credit incentive for developing new energy sources. Then Giunchigliani's conclusion was that perhaps her role in all of this would be to co-ordinate regional, state and local discussion and information, concerts and ways to share resources.
The Red carpet Premiere of “Who Will Stand" brought out several of the people behind the making of the movie as well as a gathering of war veterans. Those on the Red Carpet included Gerald Gillock – Executive Producer (and Las Vegas attorney), Phil Valentine – Producer- Director (Red Live Productions), Michael Bedik – Director of Photography (Red Live Productions, three other of the film’s producers, Clint Holmes, co-writer and singer of the titled song, his wife, Las Vegas Entertainer, Kelly Clinton-Holmes and more than 60 Wounded Warriors in town for the Soldier Ride.
 Kelly Clinton-Holmes, Clint Holmes
 Michael Bedik – Director of Photography ,Phil Valentine – Producer- Director
Photo: Dale Matulonis
 Gerald Gillock – Executive Producer (and Las Vegas attorney)
The film is about the plight of returning veterans from the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Viet Nam Wars and centers on the battles they fight from physical injuries and mental disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Phil Valentine said, “The soldiers told us the best way to tell the story is not to talk to the media, not to talk to politicians, not to talk to actors, not to get anyone’s opinions about the war itself, but only talk to the soldiers, families of soldiers, and the doctors that take care of them”.
There are three main elements in the film. The first is the journey into doing the research and getting the soldiers stories. The biggest emphasis, of course, is the soldier’s stories about their experiences and tells about three organizations that are helping these soldiers. They are Wounded Warrior Project, which provides aid for severely injured veterans; Canines for Combat Wounded, which provides service dogs to injured veterans; and The Soldiers Project, focused on providing free, confidential psychological treatment. Valentine added “We've made life long friends doing the film".
Technical difficulties marred the film’s premiere screening. However, the film was beautifully done but perhaps a bit too long at two hours. I did hear many sniffles during the screening. It is a disturbing, but necessary film.
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