Florian Baron

"The trauma of 9/11, the ideology of violent retribution, military service as a patriotic family tradition, the “unfairness” of today’s warfare – in their voice-overs, five young Afghanistan war veterans first establish familiar foundations. Joe, Torrie, Mike, James and Justin from Pittsburgh are slow to show us their faces. Physically unharmed but full of inner pain they have become the misunderstood upon their return. Their violent experiences speak a language that the people at home don’t understand.

Mexico City celebrates 200 years of independence and 100 years of revolution. Two German film students try to portray the traces that Mexico’s turbulent history has left on the people. Where to begin? They get into a taxi and start filming.

The film portrays the relationship between young people and their horses in the heart of Philadelphia, and impressively illustrates the alienation and senselessness of the conflicts of this urban place, which is characterized by unemployment, decay and drugs.

Joe tells the story of his slowly unraveling military trauma and what it feels like to live with invisible wounds that others can hardly empathize with. The film seeks to illuminate the inner conflicts that veterans experience throughout their reintegration by following Joe's individual struggle and life in Pittsburgh.