15 mins, HD Video, 2011
An Iraq War hero leads a ragtag group of veterans as they try to conquer the wine industry.
SYNOPSIS
When Marine Sergeant Josh Laine returned from fighting in Iraq to his native Livermore, CA, he couldn't find a job
anywhere. When a girlfriend got him into wine, he decided to take a crack at winemaking and with the help of the
other Marines that he served with, Lavish Laines Winery was born. The winery has since become a place where
returning veterans can find a job, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose. The film follows Josh and his fellow vets as
they try to take the winery from a garage start-up to a fully-fledged operation and in the process explores the
challenges vets face in transitioning back to civilian life.
FILMMAKER STATEMENT
Last summer I was shocked by news reports about high rates of unemployment and suicide among returning veterans. I was also surprised by how many stories depicted veterans as victims and I was determined to find a more positive story of vets helping vets overcome those obstacles. I spent three months researching and networking in the veteran community until I heard about a group of Marines starting a winery in the East Bay. My first visit out there I was blown away by the sense of community and I knew I had found my story.
SCREENINGS
Slamdance Film Festival 2012
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2012
Napa Valley Film Festival 2011
STARZ Denver Film Festival 2011
CREDITS
Produced, Directed, Shot, and Edited by Kevin Gordon
Sound by Rory Fraser
Composed by Dominic Matar
WEBSITE
www.facebook.com/NoWineLeftBehind