“I Love This Country” is a short film that reflects on democracy and fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives. The film’s theme is that pluralism thrives when mutual respect, compassion, and teamwork are present, as we all yearn to live the American dream. The film’s message is that love, diversity, and solidarity are foundational to truly embracing duty, honor, and country.
Rob Turfe, an independent filmmaker in Pacific Palisades, California, is partnering with FridayMusings and Livonia’s Phoenix Theatre, after being introduced to Rob and his filmmaking background by Steve Spreitzer, for the Michigan premiere of “I Love This Country” on January 25, 7:00.
He is showcasing the film in Livonia before it is entered into a series of film festivals during the month of February.
Turfe’s grandfather was an immigrant who came to the United States from Lebanon in 1919 by way of France. On board the ship crossing the Atlantic, he met an American officer, General John L. Hines (USMA 1891), who provided him with a letter of introduction that helped him get through U.S. Immigration on the East Coast. This instilled a family passion for helping immigrants.
Rob and his siblings grew up with this sense of duty and were the first two practicing Muslims to attend West Point. After graduating from West Point, Rob became an Engineer Officer and was stationed in Germany. While in Europe, he was deployed to Southern Turkey, Northern Iraq, Bosnia, Croatia, and Macedonia, and was frequently able to use his knowledge of Arabic in real-world situations.
In 1995, he left the Army and entered the business world, using many of the skills he learned at West Point to achieve success in the civilian sector. Turfe has written and produced multiple projects, including the first draft of “The Sacrifice by the Euphrates” with co-writer Benedict Fitzgerald.
Turfe is working on the four-part miniseries Kleptocracy, about a high-ranking military officer involved in a United States military intervention in Iran.
Please respond to rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com if you want to join us on January 25th.
The film is being offered free of charge in partnership with the Phoenix Theatre and will include introductory comments by Turfe, followed by the film, and a panel discussion immediately afterward.
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