Our very own Steve Nguyen and his friend Brian Tan entered this submission “Kill Joy” to the Interpretations Film Initiative. It’s a full blown production with sets and props. And don’t forget the special effects. Warfare is no game. Here’s a synopsis:

On routine patrol through a small Iraqi hamlet, a convoy of US Army vehicles is suddenly ambushed. Private McKay, the squadron’s newest recruit, finds himself thrust unexpectedly into his first ever combat experience. His ears ring from the shrieking of exploding shells, but McKay hesitates to return fire. In a matter of seconds his understanding of warfare is forever changed as he raises his gun and unloads on the target. An epic film about the war in Iraq, the film is basically about the danger of socialization, the power of social change, and the effects of warfare on our veterans. While there have been countless war films in the past, Kill Joy seeks to present an unbiased glimpse into the lives of those fighting in Iraq. As an objective film that seeks to neither glorify nor condemn the US invasion, it hopes to encourage viewers to think about their world view and challenges them to make their own mind about armed conflict on a very real, applicable level.

Kill Joy by Steve Nguyen x Brian Tan

When Steve told us about this project, we didn’t know he was going all in on it. Beyond the high production value, there is an underlying message for the film about warfare and society in general. Here’s a quote from the film maker:

Soldiers are often not understood. Our film, Kill Joy, seeks to provide you with a glimpse into a day in the life of an ordinary US Army private and how he has to come to terms with killing for the first time. The film is about how males in America are brought up and socialized to kill, and how traumatizing killing someone can be for the men and women serving in our armed forces.

Leave feedback for the film here.

Kill Joy Extended version

Also check out Spice It Up with Feodor Chin