What I Want You To Know takes viewers on a right-seat ride alongside Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as they revisit their deployments by telling deeply personal stories that are usually only talked about privately with other veterans. By sharing their experiences during and after their deployments, these veterans paint a picture of the moral complexities and impacts of their wars, and of war itself.
What I Want You To Know lays bare the extent of the post-9/11 wars’ effects on those who did the actual fighting, especially regarding moral injury, the profound psychological and emotional wound that is a particular consequence of unjustified and pointless wars like Iraq and Afghanistan, and like Vietnam.
Screening and Q&A Sponsored by Veterans for Peace on March 15, 2025 at 4 PM EDT in person at Portland Media Center. To pre-order, and watch virtually use this link.
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What veterans are saying:
“This is a brilliant documentary film. What I Want You To Know embodies what a lot of us GWOT veterans know deep down about our deployments, but haven’t said out loud.”
Tom Mannion
Veteran (3/6 Marines, Iraq 2005, 2007)
New Hampshire State Representative
“It’s the most comprehensive look that I’ve ever seen at the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, provided by the soldiers who served on the ground in those wars. It elevates the voices of soldiers from all branches of service, from across the ranks, which is hard to find.”
Dr Ben Schrader
Director, Adult Learner and Veteran Services
Colorado State University
Veteran, 1st Inf Div, Iraq 2004-2005
“I’m convinced this film should be seen by everyone in this country – young, old, veteran and civilian – because its message is so vital for all of us to hear. It reminds me of the veteran-led ‘patriotic dissent’ that so many of us joined in during Vietnam – which I think was instrumental in stopping that war. Now a new generation has taken up that cause.”
Duke Ellis
Vietnam era veteran
USNavy
“Watching What I Want You To Know was very powerful. It aligned with all of my feelings about my time in Afghanistan.”
Afghanistan veteran
“Thank you so much for helping to paint a picture for people who have never been to combat. I have spent time in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and this is very similar to my experiences.”
Iraq & Afghanistan veteran
