DePauw Grad's Film set for debut

BLOOMINGTON -- "Soldier to Civilian," a new film documenting the experience of veterans of the war in Afghanistan, will have its Bloomington premier on Thursday at 9 p.m. at Boxcar Books, Bloomington.

This event is free and open to the public.

The film is the work of Ross Robinson, a 2009 DePauw University graduate.

A timely and provocative documentary, Soldier to Civilian features interviews with German and American soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

Veterans give first-hand accounts of life in a war zone and reflect on their experience returning to civilian life.

Robinson began shooting in January 2009.

He traveled throughout Germany, interviewing German soldiers and reserves and striking up conversations with civilians on the street.

Upon his return to the United States, Ross interviewed American soldiers and reserves in March and April 2009.

Through candid and often poignant interviews, veterans share their perspectives on the daily life of a soldier, the meaning of patriotism, and the difficult transition back to civilian life.

According to Robinson, "Several interviewees said that they had never had the chance to really talk in depth to anyone about their experiences and described their participation in the film as therapeutic."

A native of Dillsboro, Robinson completed a double major in communications and German at DePauw.

As a junior, he completed course work on German mass media at Humboldt University in Berlin.

While studying abroad, Robinson also interned at the Filmbüro Potsdam, an independent television and film production company.

A Fulbright Scholar, Ross will return to Germany this fall to teach English.

"Solider to Civilian" will be screened outdoors on the patio of Boxcar Books.

Following the film screening, there will be a question and answer session with Robinson.

Boxcar Books is located at 408 E. 6th St. in Bloomington.

For more information, contact Robinson at (812) 548-3139.