Independent Lens: Make Peace or Die

In the mid to late 2000s, there were scores of documentaries about PTSD. Today, when they are not so politically useful to the anti-war cause, there have almost completely disappeared. Anthony Marquez noticed a similar phenomenon with Gold Star families. They received an initial outpouring of support, but after a year or so, people largely forgot them. That is why Marquez decided to personally check-in with the families of all 17 fellow Marines of his unit who died in Sangin, Afghanistan. Filmmaker Manny Marquez follows his brother’s cathartic journey in Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen, which airs this Monday on PBS, as part of the current season of Independent Lens.

Sangin will be remembered as one of the deadliest destinations ever for the Marine Corps. Not surprisingly, his experiences there haunted Marquez years after the fact. As part of his self-proscribed therapy, he hand-crafted (or chainsaw-crafted) memorial statues for each Gold Star family, which he hand-delivered. Realizing how quickly the community support evaporates for Gold Star families, Marquez resolved to revisit the same families one year later (this time with his brother following him).

Most were incredibly welcoming, even though his visits inevitably rekindled the pain of their loss. He hardly knew some of their sons, but he could still relate through their shared experiences. At times, he even questions his mission, but eventually doubles down, inviting the families to a special commemoration ceremony at Camp Pendleton. Along the way, he assembles a special dress uniform, consisting of garments and medals contributed by the seventeen families.

There are several deeply emotional moments in Make Peace or Die (the title refers to Corps 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marines’ motto—as in make peace with us, or else). However, the sequence that will absolutely destroy viewers documents the final hours of Marquez’s military service dog, who even had a Marine honor guard for the fateful last trip to the vet’s office. No matter how tough you think you are, you are going to be choked up.

This is a powerful film that should have had much more attention on the festival circuit. Obviously, Marquez approached his subjects with the best of intentions. After all, his parents appear in the documentary, as well as his brother. Of course, nobody wants to question the motives of some the docs that came out so regularly during the George W. Bush administration, but isn’t it so strange how they just aren’t being produced anymore (with the exception of this film)?

Speaking of awkward subjects, Biden’s disastrous retreat from Afghanistan is mentioned several times, usually after Marquez asks grieving parents whether their sons’ sacrifices were worth it. When they say no, that is what they cite.

Yet, neither Marquez wants to score political points of any kind. This film truly seeks healing. Yet, it prompts one to wonder how many other filmmakers check in with their former subjects, in the way that Marquez did. Very highly recommended, Make Peace or Die premieres this Monday (11/11) on most PBS Stations.