DALLAS (Army News Service, Dec. 18, 2001) - Soldiers deployed to the Balkans, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will be able to see recent Hollywood releases free during a holiday film festival scheduled for Dec. 21 through Jan. 3.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Hollywood have once again joined forces to sponsor what AAFES officials say has become a popular tradition among military forces deployed to remote sites around the world -- the annual AAFES Holiday Film Festival.
This year deployed troops will be able to view such current major film productions as Paramount Picture's "Domestic Disturbance," Universal's "Spy Games," Warner Brothers' "Heist" and "Ocean's Eleven," Fox's "Black Knight" and "Behind Enemy Lines," and Dreamworks' "The Last Castle."
As in the past, the motion picture companies involved in this year's event all agree that it would be a great gesture, and in the best holiday tradition, to offer the films free of charge. During the holiday film festival, motion picture distributors waive their normal royalty fees for the films, resulting in no charge to MWR or the military.
The films will be shown to U.S. service members stationed at Camp Doha, Kuwait; Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia; Eagle Base in Bosnia; Camps Monteith and Bondsteel in Kosovo.
The festival got its start a few years ago when Europe's then supreme allied commander, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, approached AAFES with the idea of showing a current major motion picture during the holiday season for the troops serving in Bosnia. Clark requested Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." AAFES contacted Spielberg about donating "Ryan" to the cause, and he was quick to oblige.
After a few phone calls from Jon Walters, AAFES' Theater Branch program manager, many other companies joined in the effort as well, bringing the total number of donated films to nine. Since that time, says Walters, major film studios have enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to help AAFES bring a touch of home to U.S. service members deployed to remote sites around the world during the holiday season.
"And judging from the response we've gotten from viewers over the past three years, I'd have to say that our service members have been very appreciative of the generosity displayed by the companies who have donated the films for the festival, and by the effort AAFES has put forth in ensuring its success," Walters said.
Harvey Applebaum, vice president of non-theatrical sales for 20th Century Fox, helped make last year's film festival a success, AAFES officals said.
"Once again, this year, it's a privilege for those of us here at Fox to help make the holidays a little brighter for our deployed service members," he said. "They do so much for us while being away from their families and loved ones, and joining AAFES in providing some holiday cheer in the form of great motion picture entertainment is the least we can do."
Joan Filippini, head of non-theatrical distribution for DreamWorks SKG, added, "We support our men and women in uniform year-round, but during the holidays it is especially important to show them that they are remembered and appreciated. Our troops sacrifice so much to serve our country and defend our freedoms, so we are proud and honored to participate in the AAFES Holiday Film Festival, which gives them a small link to home."
AAFES Commander Maj. Gen. C.J. Wax says he's happy to see that the tradition of the AAFES Holiday Film Festival will continue again this year.
"Through the efforts of Hollywood distributors and local military commanders, the AAFES mission of providing service wherever our troops are deployed becomes even more tangible for the fourth Christmas in a row. This gesture brings a little bit of 'home away from home' to these
patriots. AAFES thanks the movie industry for their thoughtfulness."
(Editor's note: Information provided by an AAFES news release.)