Benefit: My Brother's War, a Documentary

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 26, 2007 3:37PM

Here at Chicagoist we're all about DIY. (That's "Do It Yourself," by the way.) Chicagoist itself is DIY. Not to toot our own horn, but most of us here are unpaid volunteers whose recompense consists of the chance to share really cool stuff with you, our readers, and trigger interesting conversations (and getting jiggy with the occasional celebrity).

We also believe that Chicago the city is DIY. Our motto is "I Will," and every day we see examples of that. From the dozens and dozens of people documenting our city by taking pictures of everything conceivable, to the thriving DIY craft community, music scene and zine community, these are people who help to make Chicago a creatively wonderful place.

In fact, unlike the hyperpolished "professional" world of L.A., Chicago filmmakers are amazingly resourceful when it comes to finding the funding to create their work. They have to be. One such filmmaker is Shana East, who is making a film about her brother's experiences as a soldier in Iraq. My Brother's War is fairly unusual in that it's actually being made by a military family member. Says East, “Mike enlisted as a patriot, believing in our president’s choice to go to war. Since he came home he has been frustrated and angry, often bursting into fits of rage and suffering from intense mood swings. Yet he refuses to discuss what has happened to him. Mike’s silence is what drives me to find other Veterans who will come forward, to give the public a better understanding of the human element of war; and the difficulties these men and women face during and after their service.”

This Friday at Nihilist Records on the south side, East is throwing a benefit concert with all proceeds going directly towards the film's production costs. For $10 you can see VEE DEE, Paul Cary, Spectaculo and The Yolks; DJ Todd Killings will be spinning throughout the evening. There'll be beer and other liquor available for purchase ("cheap!" promises East). Doors open at 9; more info at the film's website.