The Architect: A Montford Point Marine
TV-PG, 01-Dec-2023
Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi
In this dynamic and dramatic short film, an African American veteran takes us on an extraordinary journey through the twists and turns of his life. From a chance visit to the Pentagon, where he stumbles upon a hidden photograph from his Marine Corps days, to growing up in a vibrant integrated neighborhood, his story is one of resilience and inspiration. Fueled by the determination to seize educational opportunities, he enlists just in time to experience the racial divisions of his era before Truman desegregates the military. Thrust into the brutal chaos of the Korean War, the weight of combat becomes an indelible part of his soul. Returning home, he embarks on a new path as an architect and discovers unexpected connections in far-off Pakistan. As his family expands, his sons, one a passionate paleontologist and the other a curious astronomer, reflect on the man who raised them and the legacy he instilled. This captivating film unearths the essence of the Black experience in the early 20th century, paints a vivid portrait of the unforgiving Chosin Reservoir, and unravels the intricate tapestry of race, family, and personal growth, revealing the immeasurable strength and wisdom gained along the way.