Press

ABANY, NY – The New York State Museum will present a film Sunday, Nov. 18 documenting the gripping expedition of 11 wounded Iraqi and Afghanistan War veterans, a Gold Star mother and a blind adventurer who climb a 20,000-foot Himalayan mountain in an attempt to heal the emotional and physical scars of war.

“High Ground” will be shown Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. in the Huxley Theater. Albany native Scott Watts, the coordinating producer, will introduce the film, which was produced by Don Hahn (The Lion King). Following the 92-minute free screening, News Channel 13 co-anchor Benita Zahn will lead a Q&A discussion featuring a panel of Capital Region veterans including First Sergeant (Retired) Pat Abrams, Major Joseph Chodnicki, Staff Sergeant Kelly Kenyon and Specialist Dan Swift. Scott Watts, the film’s coordinating producer, will also participate.

The film chronicles a showcase expedition called “Soldiers to Summit” that brings together war veterans and world-recognized climbers to demonstrate what can be achieved by climbing a Himalayan mountain. In October 2010, ten years after blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer made his historic ascent of Everest, the same team of mountain guides who assisted Weihenmayer reunited to lead the group of warriors. The event was organized with the help of World T.E.A.M. Sports, a veterans support organization.

Representing all four branches of the military, the veterans and the Gold Star mother set out to climb the peak of Lobuche East, 8.7 miles from Everest. Director Michael Brown, a three-time Emmy winner, captured the breathtaking, vertigo-inducing cinematography as the team makes its way high into the Himalayan mountains through the villages of Nepal, over raging rivers and up terrifying steep terrain.

The film allows veterans to tell their stories in their own way and in their own words. The mountain itself is a metaphor for one of the basic concepts of military action – the high ground is the safest, most defensible place with the greatest perspective.

Those wishing to attend the program are asked to register by Friday, Nov. 16 by calling (518) 474-0076. More information on the film is available at http://www.highgroundmovie.com/

The State Museum is a program of the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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