Georgia Magazine - September 2024 - 18

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" The Keeper, " thekeepermovie.info;
on Facebook: fb.com/thekeepermovie.info;
on Instagram: instagram.com/thekeeper.movie
NO ONE WALKS THE TRAIL ALONE
From left, Bacon (portrayed by Nicholas Asad), The Keeper (Angus Benfi eld) and Taz (Andrew
Ferguson) take in a view from the Appalachian Trail in a scene from the movie.
Todd Tavolazzi, a friend and " military brother " he met in
2019, took Eshleman's story and turned it into a screenplay,
which he shopped around until 2021. Angus Benfield, a
Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker with LAMA
Entertainment, made it into a movie that was released
during the Memorial Day weekend in May.
" I don't want to just make films for the sake of it or
do things for vanity purposes, " Benfield says, referring to
Eshleman's story. " I want to do a film that I believe goes
beyond the four walls of the theater-something that will
affect people in their everyday life. "
Eshleman was on set during many of the filming sessions
in Maine, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and California, even
making a short but significant cameo near the end of the movie.
In Eshleman's adopted hometown (he is originally from
Louisiana), the Calhoun-Gordon Community Foundation
partnered with LAMA Entertainment and the GEM Theatre
to facilitate two free advance screenings of " The Keeper " days
before its official release. Both evenings, seats were packed and
donations poured in-directed to the local American Legion
Post 47 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5376. A portion of
the proceeds from ticket sales to " The Keeper " is being donated
to Disabled American Veterans and other groups that work to
prevent veterans' suicides.
To date, thousands have watched the powerful film that
portrays Eshleman's quest to honor fallen comrades, chronicles
his own struggles with mental-health issues and spotlights the
pressing issue of veteran suicide. In honor of Veterans Day, " The
Keeper " will be released on streaming platforms in November.
And a trigger warning: Some scenes in the movie may be
disturbing or upsetting to some viewers. Because it deals with
mature themes such as suicide, the film carries an R rating.
" It's hard to talk about suicide and mental health, "
Eshleman says. " But the movie is prompting much-needed
conversations here in Georgia and across the country. We can't
not talk about this any more. "
18 Georgia Magazine September 2024
" The Keeper " has been screened at film festivals
nationwide and earned a host of awards. In July, it won several
awards from two monthly, international film festivals, including
best picture from the Florence Film Awards and best feature film
from the International Gold Awards. " The Keeper " received best
feature film and best editing from the Los Angeles Independent
Film Festival Awards and was nominated for best docu-drama
feature film at the Seattle Film Festival.
Battle's not over
With the success of the film, Eshleman has been invited
to speak at civic group meetings and schools. On Nov. 2 he'll
participate in the Murray County Veterans Parade in Chatsworth
and will stay for a free showing of " The Keeper " at 7 p.m. at
Chatsworth City Park.
He doesn't like the attention, but he continues to press
forward to raise awareness and help those who are living with
depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Eshleman notes that he still has tough days, but he's
learned some helpful coping strategies.
" And I now realize that asking for help is a sign of strength,
not weakness, " he says. " If you see [that] someone around you is
struggling and in a dark place, let them know you are there, and
let them know you care.
" And remember: No one walks the trail alone. The trail is
just a metaphor for life. No one is alone in this life. Someone is
always there. Remember that! "
Amber Lanier Nagle is an Adairsville-based freelance writer.
Confi dential crisis support is available to active-duty military
members, veterans and their loved ones 24/7 through the
Veterans Crisis Line. If you or someone you know needs help,
dial 988 and press 1; send a text message to 838255; or
chat online at veteranscrisisline.net/chat.
LAMA ENTERTAINMENT

http://www.thekeepermovie.info http://www.fb.com/thekeepermovie.info http://www.instagram.com/thekeeper.movie http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat

Georgia Magazine - September 2024

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