Verdwaalde Veteranen

Deeply moving documentary about a group of Dutch army veterans with PTSD, who found a shelter at Home Base Veterans. Honest and vulnerable, they talk about their demons and their struggle to connect with society. Beautifully serene, Marjoleine Boonstra captures their intense experience.

Roy is battle ready. Always. Sometimes in the supermarket, he’s taking positions like he was on the battlefield. He struggles with chronic PTSD, the result of his military missions in Afghanistan. Peter has served as paramedic on many missions and recognizes the fear in a veteran’s eyes. Jaap meditates and sings to keep his ‘murderous lust’ under control. ‘Mission First!’, they were always told. If they couldn’t deal with it, they’d better toughen up.

Together with other veterans, the men found help and a shelter in a place in the woods called Home Base Veterans. Stuck in regular psychological help, they struggle with work and housing. Many lost their families and fled into alcohol or drug addiction, violence or suicidal thoughts. With her deeply human approach, filmmaker Marjoleine Boonstra lets us see straight into their hearts and souls. Supported by beautiful voice-over lyrics read by actor Pierre Bokma.