I attended the Reel Progress screening of the new documentary “Body of War” last night at the E-Street Cinema.  It’s the tale of Tomas Young, a soldier transitioning from a wounded Iraq War vet coping with his injuries to a vocal critic of the war.  Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro directed the brilliant, personal look into his life, marriage, injuries and activism.  Eddie Vedder wrote two moving songs that perfectly fit the film’s tone.

Where most documentaries would shy away from personal tales about recovery like relations with his wife, catheters, erections, etc., this film takes in stride.  It isn’t about numbers or figures, talking heads or political motivations.  It’s just a look into one soldier’s life and his quest to find voice in ending the way and bringing his fellow servicemen and women home.

Tomas was there last night, along with Sen. Byrd, Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro, Ralph Nader and other personalities.  Byrd was featured throughout the film as one of the most critical of the war.  His vibrant orations were a perfect fit to juxtapose the talking points from the White House.  He didn’t refrain from throwing a few fists and yells during the screening either, even if his oratory is a little quiet these days.

It’s opening to the public in Washington this Friday, April 4th.  Don’t miss it.