NY Times Article on Ed's Decision to Leave ESPN
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/sports/espn-ed-cunningham-football-concussions.amp.html
Jerry’s Last Mission
A documentary about fighter pilot Jerry Yellin who flew the last combat mission of World War II over Japan and returned home a hero, but led a dark life of survivor’s guilt and daily thoughts of suicide. Married with four sons, Yellin was forced to face his enemy once again when his youngest son moved to Japan and married the daughter of a Kamikaze pilot.
-Jerry’s obituary - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/jerry-yellin-fighter-pilot-in-last-combat-mission-of-world-war-ii-dies-at-93/2017/12/21/cab156be-e6a3-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html
-Jerry Yellin is a celebrated and beloved WWII Hero and Pilot with a story that is inspirational and very timely. While directly dealing with PTSD and how difficult Jerry’s life was, especially growing up a Jewish American during the Depression, the film also honors the difficult job Jerry had, and so many Americans have, in fighting wars. In his full journey, Jerry had come to fully embrace and finally speak out about his suffering and choosing peace and reconciliation over war while also remaining a very proud “Military Man” right to the end.
-Veterans and those close to Veterans and their care have been incredibly moved and expressed how much they felt all Vets and their families should see this film during the test screening process. We have connected with multiple non-profit and Gov’t agencies, including the VA, and several Jewish non-profits to align all of Jerry’s goodwill with every level of Vets, the Military, Pilot’s Associations, etc. as Jerry is a rock star in these worlds, and they would all love to help the rest of the world get to know him.
-Jerry is Jewish and suffered from horrible anti-Semitism while growing up, and the test screenings for people in the Jewish community, especially those who have relatives/family tied to WWII or Vets, have been incredibly uplifting. Jerry is a true (Jewish) American Hero who overcame the horrible wreckage of both racism and the ravages war to live an inspiring and meaningful life.
-The film sees our war with Japan (in which Jerry fought) ultimately from “both sides” - Jerry’s full journey took him (and the film) back to Japan, where he was able to finally see the Japanese as humans and ultimately bond in a way that is almost too good to be true. They literally became a part of his family.
Director, Writer, Producer - Louisa Merino
Louisa studied Documentary Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy where her thesis film, LIFELINE, attracted subjects that ranged from an Oscar winning writer and director team, to Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. Her film FAMILIES LIKE MINE was selected as part of Mexico’s Women in Film and Television Showcase for 2013, among other festivals worldwide; and her film LIFELINE was part of the official selection of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival for 2013. Louisa has been the subject of news articles and several television and radio interviews aired across Mexico and in parts of the US, including CNN. She taught film editing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Art and Film” course in New York City and has worked as Consultant, Senior Editor and Story Producer for the David Lynch Foundation for over six years.
Producer, Writer - Melissa Hibbard
Melissa’s films have premiered at Venice, Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca, and IDFA film festivals, won international awards and have been televised on networks, including PBS, Sundance Channel, IFC, Channel 4, BBC, DR2, and Al Jazeera. Recently she collaborated on an illustrated translation and adaptation of Persian mythology called SHAHNAMEH: THE EPIC OF THE PERSIAN KINGS (2013) as the Editorial Director, which the Wall Street Journal lauded as a “masterpiece.” From 2013-2015, she was the executive producer of the 75 episode political satire web series POLETIK with a weekly audience of over 1.5 million viewers around the world.
Producer, Writer - Ed Cunningham
Ed (imdb & wiki) is a former NFL player who has produced the Oscar winning documentary Undefeated, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters – Sports Illustrated movie of the year – and the brand funded TV and web film series H*Commerce: The Business of Hacking You – which won three Effie awards for effective advertising. On air, Cunningham spent over twenty years as a radio host, television reporter and commentator, starting his network career at CBS and recently retiring from ESPN/ABC where he commented on college football.
