Leading from the Front Series 2026 - American Sons Film Screening

Venue

Marines’ Memorial Theatre

Address

609 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

Dates & Times

Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:30 pm Check-in 6:00 pm Screening

Prices & Tickets

Tickets are FREE. Registration is required.

Host

Marines Memorial Association

Artists, Performers, & Collaborators

Director: Andrew James Gonzales Producer: Laura Varela

The film is supported by Latino Public Broadcasting, Black Public Media, and California Humanities, and guided by military and mental health advisors.

Activity Description

The "Leading from the Front Series 2026" presents a screening of the PBS documentary American Sons. The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Andrew James Gonzales and producer Laura Varela.

American Sons is an intimate documentary that explores the lasting impact of war through the story of Cpl. JV Villarreal, a Mexican American Marine from Texas who was killed in action in Afghanistan. The film uses JV's own combat footage and follows the decade-long emotional journey of his Marine brothers and family. It serves as both a tribute and an exploration of grief, resilience, and love.

Directed by Andrew James Gonzales and produced by Laura Varela, both Texas natives with cultural roots similar to JV's, the film delves into themes of masculinity, community, and the silence that follows trauma. It highlights the contributions of BIPOC veterans, who have often been excluded from the dominant narrative of American military service.

The documentary features unprecedented access, ethical storytelling, and a commitment to authenticity, blending frontline footage with intimate peer-to-peer moments where veterans confront trauma. The film resists reductive patriotism, offering a more complex truth, and challenges the nation to address its obligations to service members. It also reveals a tender expression of brotherhood, demonstrating that the courage to heal can be as profound as the courage to fight.