A Return to the End

Directed by Pat Clark

Local Film Showcase Selection / USA / 2015 / documentary / 56 mins / English

Ceremony commemorating fallen veterans at Saigon. Photo courtesy of Pat Clark.

Table set for fallen friends Cpl. Charles McMahon and Cpl. Darwin Judge. Photo courtesy of Pat Clark.

Veteran pointing at an article about the return of American Vietnam war Veterans to Saigon. Photo courtesy of Pat Clark.

Image from film "A Return to the End." Photo courtesy of Pat Clark.

Veterans returning to Vietnam for its 40th reunification anniversary celebration. Photo courtesy of Pat Clark.

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Plays In:

Local Film Showcase

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center
September 18, 2016 1:00 pm Sold Out

Description

April 30, 1975 – Thousands of Vietnamese civilians and the last remaining American military personnel evacuate the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon as the invading North Vietnamese Army overran the city. 40 years later, A Return to the End follows a small group of Marine Security Guards (MSG’s) as they travel back to Vietnam to honor the final two casualties of the war, Charles McMahon and Darwin Judge. After helping thousands of evacuees board flights out of Saigon, LCpl Judge and Cpl McMahon were killed by a rocket attack while defending Tan Son Nhut Airbase. Set against the backdrop of Vietnam’s 40th reunification anniversary celebration, this story highlights the remnants of war and the efforts made to remember those who did not return.

Director's Bio

Pat Clark is a digital artist and documentary filmmaker based in Denver, CO. His film and multimedia projects have been screened in numerous venues worldwide including the Athenaeum in La Jolla, CA, the United States Navy Memorial, Film Streams Cinema House, the Art of Photography Show, Lucca Film Festival, Starz Denver Film Festival and the Video Art Experimental Film Festival at Tribeca Cinemas. He has contributed to the PBS NewsHour and has been awarded three regional EMMY Awards by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Arts in Television, Film, and New Media from San Diego State University, as well as a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Multimedia from San Diego State University. He is currently a faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder teaching in the College of Media, Communication and Information.

Precedes

The Light Once Captured

Ryan P. Kelly / Local Film Showcase Selection / USA / 2013 / narrative / 6 mins
A young man is looking at some old film cameras at a garage sale. He thinks the camera which has seen WAR sounds cool, until he gets a glimpse at the past...
Preceded by: A Return to the End

Plays in

Local Film Showcase

Local Film Showcase
The Local Film Showcase demonstrates a commitment to San Diego’s local military community. The films featured in the showcase are by filmmakers who serve, or have served in the U.S. military from San Diego or Imperial Counties.
In This Program: Honor Flight: The Ride of a Lifetime, The Flying Greek, Living History: Our Hometown Hero, The Light Once Captured, A Return to the End

Preceded By

Living History: Our Hometown Hero

Jose Roman, Guadalupe Blancas, Victoria Stauffer, Bryson Newsom, Janet Valdovinos, and Damaris Robles. / Local Film Showcase Selection / USA / 2016 / documentary / 5 mins
91-year-old Robert Noble, Commander, USN retired, shares his 31 year career as a Naval Officer & Naval Aviator with a group of middle school students in Vista, CA. He shares his insights into the importance of education, and also shares his love for family & country. Bob is a San Diego native, born and raised in San Diego, CA.
Preceded by: The Flying Greek

Precedes: A Return to the End