SYNOPSIS
Since the precipitous retreat of the U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021 and the subsequent power takeover by the Taliban, the Afghans who helped the Allies are being hunted down and killed.
“More Than Brothers” portrays the personal sacrifices and political engagement of two Green Berets in a race against time to save the Afghans who kept them safe during their deployments, giving a voice to their Afghan allies whose lives have been completely uprooted since the chaotic withdrawal.
This short documentary is a deeply mournful film that highlights the human cost of political decisions.
WATCH THE FILM
WHY NOW?
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, thousands of Afghans who worked alongside Allied Forces have been relentlessly hunted, tortured, and killed. For these individuals and their families, finding a path to safety is a matter of life and death.
While America’s longest war has faded from public memory and its failures buried by the U.S. Government, many U.S. service members have taken matters into their own hands. Launching private humanitarian efforts, they’ve worked tirelessly to rescue their former comrades.
The personal cost to these veterans has been immense: damaged careers, strained relationships, financial hardship, and ongoing mental health struggles are all part of their reality.
Veteran groups, human rights organizations, and members of civil society are now increasing pressure on the U.S. Government to take responsibility for the Afghans who risked their lives for American forces — and to honor the promise of bringing them to safety. Yet, despite repeated efforts, every initiative to expedite the Special Immigration Visa process has stalled in Congress. Today, more than 130,000 Afghan visa applications remain in limbo.
QUOTES
from the protagonists
“These people fought alongside us, they bled with us, they died alongside us. To leave them out there is just unacceptable.”
“The unstated reality of their service was that they were clearing mines so that an American didn’t have to. Because of the nature of their profession, every life of a member of the National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG) lost in combat allowed for a Green Beret or explosive ordnance disposal Technician to return home.”
“It’s really hard for me to enjoy life right now… I feel guilty. I am out here in America. I know guys that are hidden in cold dark rooms in Afghanistan praying that the Taliban don’t knock on their door and pull them out in the street and kill them.That puts a pretty substantial moral burden on our shoulders.”
ABOUT THE 1208 FOUNDATION
The 1208 FOUNDATION is a nonprofit organization run by US Army Special Forces members who served in Afghanistan and are seeking to uphold America’s moral obligation to its closest allies.
Run by current and former Green Berets and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians, the foundation provides life-saving assistance to their former Afghan partners and advocates for their right to a US special immigration visa. Amongst these allies are interpreters and members of the National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG) who put their lives on the line by clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for America’s Special Forces.
WHO WERE THE NMRG?
⊕ NMRG stands for “National Mine Reduction Group”. Their members were Afghans under the direct employment of US Army Special Forces. The NMRG were responsible for detecting and clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines and explosive munitions, thus saving the lives of US service members.
⊕ The NMRG did not only have the most dangerous job in Afghanistan, they were also the most trusted partners to US Army Green Berets: In fact, they were the only Afghans allowed to carry weapons on US bases, and all underwent extensive vetting procedures.
⊕ Despite their sacrifices and close partnership with US Special Forces, most were abandoned when the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, leaving promises of US visas and safety unfulfilled.
IN THE MEDIA
Podcast host Erin Devost sat down with filmmaker Andrea von Siebenthal during the 2024
DC Independent Film Forum.
Article in the GstaadLIFE Magazine.
January 2025.
MEET THE TEAM
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ANDREA VON SIEBENTHAL
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR
Andrea is a storyteller at heart. A former tv journalist, spokesperson and communicator in the humanitarian realm, she believes that stories have the power to create empathy and thus promote real change.
Born and raised in Switzerland, she has worked extensively in post-conflict areas where she has witnessed the long-term effects of armed conflict first-hand.
The topics of war and its consequences on civilians have always been at the heart of her work. Her desire to shed a light on forgotten conflicts and the human cost of geopolitical decisions continues to inform her documentary projects.
Andrea holds a Master's degree in International Conflict Journalism, a CAS in Press Relations from the Swiss School of Journalism MAZ and a certificate in Documentary Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy. Previous productions of hers have won gold awards at both the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards and the Internationale Wirtschaftsfilmtage.
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JOSEPH CLEARY
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A Telly Award-winning British Director & DP out of NYC, Joe specializes in documentary and branded content.
He is a New York Film Academy documentary graduate and his work has been featured at the biggest U.S. documentary film festival, DOC NYC.
Joe has created content for billion-dollar healthcare companies, small niche brands, charities as well as various performance artists.
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KAMI FARES
2nd DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Kami Fares is an italian-palestinian director and cinematographer.
A New York Film Academy documentary graduate, he has worked in the most diverse areas of the audio-visual world, but considers himself a documentary filmmaker first and foremost.
Winner of several film festivals in his native Italy (Festival di Lampedusa, Festival Arcipelago, Premio Marzocco), his documentary work has so far centered around the topics of refugees, mental health and the incarceration system in Italy.
FILM FESTIVAL SELECTIONS & AWARDS
DOC NYC (2023)
Big Sky (2024)
SCAD Savannah Film Festival (2024)
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (2024)
Thomas Edison Film Festival (2024):
Honorable MentionLighthouse International Film Festival (2024):
Best Social Impact ShortMumbai Shorts International Film Fest (2024):
Best DocumentaryWhistleblower Summit & Film Festival (2024):
Finalist Best Short DocumentaryDC Independent Film Festival (2024)
GI Film Festival San Diego (2024)
Wyoming International Film Festival (2024)
Sidewalk Film Festival (2024)
Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival (2024)
St. Louis International Film Festival (2024)
Hamilton Film Festival (Canada) (2024)
Veterans Film Festival LA (2024)
New York Shorts (2024)
Indie Short Fest (2024):
Best Short of the Season/ Special Jury AwardOregon Documentary Film Festival (2024):
Award FinalistBoston Indie Film Festival (2024):
Best Documentary ShortIndependent Shorts Awards (2024):
Platinum for Best First Time Female DirectorSan Diego Independent Cinema Awards(2024):
Best Documentary ShortBest Shorts Competition (Sept. 2024):
Awards of Excellence: Contemporary Issues/Awareness Raising;
Documentary Short; Islamic ThemeLonely Wolf International Film Festival (2024):
Semi-Finalist Best DocumentaryBrooklyn International Short Festival (2025):
Best Short Film on Human Rights
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Lengh> 23:30 min
Shooting format> Digital, UHD/ 4K
Audio format> 5.1
Aspect ratio> 16:9
Original languages> English, Dari
