He should be dead. He should be crazy. But he’s not. Those are the words of the man behind the film “Empty Streets” about a Marine veteran who returns from fighting abroad a broken man. The film is an examination
He should be dead. He should be crazy. But he’s not.
Those are the words of the man behind the film “Empty Streets” about a Marine veteran who returns from fighting abroad a broken man.
The film is an examination of the experiences of the misjudged, misunderstood and abandoned as they try to assimilate among civilians.
The lead characters — a homeless veteran and a prostitute — are unlikely heroes. But that’s the point, said Paul Booth, director, producer and co-writer.
The roles are critical to the film’s sense of loneliness, because too often fellow human beings walk past people in either of those situations without stopping to empathize or understand.
“When you look at a homeless veteran and prostitute, they’re often the most judged by society. It’s almost automatic,” Booth said.
Booth, who lived on Kaua‘i for 15 years and is a Kaua‘i Community College alumnus, chose Kaua‘i native Desiree Duclayan Parsonson to play the role of the prostitute.
Kendyce Manguchei, the film’s co-writer and producer, also was born and raised on Kaua‘i. Her father is a Vietnam veteran.
“The film itself doesn’t get political, but there’s a lot of thoughts and feelings around the film,” she said. “I know when I graduated high school in 1996, there was a strong push from recruiters to get me and classmates to sign up.”
After leaving Kaua‘i, Manguchei said she remembered the words of Mayor Bryan Baptiste and other county leaders, who said that residents need to look out for each other.
“My hope — because the military is so tied into community — (is that) the film will still get its message across. I also hope that teenagers thinking about joining make an informed decision.”
Booth said he was inspired to help author the film after seeing how post-traumatic stress disorder, which he notes affects all demographics equally and can leave even the strongest — those who have survived firefights and hardened streets — vulnerable and lost.
“The film was intended not as a political message, but as a slice of life from someone who didn’t let the things he endured stop his life,” Booth said, referring to his lifetime friend, 29-year-old Ely Kalilikane, born and raised on O‘ahu.
Though Kalilikane struggled with returning from service and experienced a complex set of challenges, he triumphed in the face of adversity, Booth said.
“He’s out there, working hard, doing the best he can. … He’s not sitting around having a pity party,” Booth said.
Anthony Haviland, who plays the veteran, is a 33-year-old former Maui resident.
The writers, which include Kalilikane, got to work in July 2006, before the Walter Reed scandal shed light on the lack of health care benefits for veterans.
Booth said he wanted to emphasize that during Kalilikane’s transition back into society between 2002 to 2003, “even the smallest things” were a struggle.
“He would call me with nervousness of not being able to act like a civilian,” Booth said. “Insomnia, fear of women — he saw a lot of women and children killed — Ely is probably one of a million guys that this is happening to.”
Though shedding light on the issue is part of the film’s purpose, Booth kept going back to his former statement: This isn’t political.
“We’re not against the military. We don’t say we’re for or against the war,” he said. “I could not care less who you vote for. We just want to talk about the young 19-year-old who returned from war, who should at least have grocery money and health insurance and better help finding a job.”
The film will be screened at Kaua‘i Community College at 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 11. A portion of the admission proceeds will benefit the Kaua‘i Food Bank and other charities.
For more information, visit www.emptystreetsmovie.blogspot.com
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
