SLC Film Center: The Tillman Story May 24, 2011

Director Amir Bar-Lev will be in attendance for a post-film q+a.

In 2002, as America was poised to go to war in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pat Tillman, a defensive back with the Arizona Cardinals, joined the United States Army, believing he had a duty to serve in a time of need even though he had signed a lucrative deal to play professional football. Tillman served a tour of duty in Iraq and was on patrol in Afghanistan when, on April 22, 2004, he was killed during a reconnaissance mission near the border of Pakistan. When word spread about Tillman's death, the Army issued a press release declaring he'd been shot down while trying to heroically block the fire of a band of Taliban insurgents.

When Pat Tillman gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers, he became an instant symbol of patriotic fervor and unflinching duty. But the truth about Pat Tillman is far more complex, and ultimately far more heroic, than the caricature. And when the government tried to turn his death into propaganda, they took on the wrong family. From her home in Northern California, Pat's mother, Dannie Tillman, led the family's crusade to reveal the truth beneath the mythology of their son's life and death. "The Tillman Story" resounds with emotion and insight, and goes beyond an indictment of the government to touch on themes as timeless as the notion of heroism itself.

Featuring candid and revelatory interviews with Pat's fellow soldiers as well as his family, Amir Bar-Lev’s emotional and insightful film not only shines a light on the shady aftermath of Pat’s death and calls to task the entire chain of command but also examines themes as timeless as the notion of heroism itself.

Shortlisted for the 2010 Academy Award for best Documentary Feature; Official Selection – 2010 Sundance Film Festival; Official Selection 2010 Silverdocs Film Festival; Official Selection – 2010 Seattle International Film Festival

THE TILLMAN STORY is also the 2nd film being presented as part of the Utah Film Circuit with screenings in Ogden, Logan, and St. George. Director Amir Bar-Lev will be in attendance for all screenings.

Monday, May 23 – Ogden
7:00 pm at the Pleasant Valley Library
5568 S Adams Avenue Parkway
Washington Terrace, UT

Wednesday, May 25 – Logan
7:00 pm at the Logan Arthouse and Cinema
795 N. Main St.,
Logan, UT
More info at www.loganarthouse.com.

Friday, May 27 – St. George
7:00 pm at the Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center
Main Stage Theater, 225 S. 700 E. — St. George, UT
For more information at www.docutah.com