UCF Celebrates the Arts: First Look and Discussion of War Unfolding

“War correspondence is ‘America’s great undiscovered literature.’” – Andrew Carroll

The film follows historian Andrew Carroll, who takes us on a journey around the world to find and preserve letters written during wartime. This personal and often emotional journey into the war experience uncovers stories of our worst impulses but also the secrets to our shared humanity, hidden within the world’s great “undiscovered literature.”

Since 1998, the New York Times bestselling author Andrew Carroll has traveled to all 50 states and more than 40 countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan and (recently) Ukraine to seek out letters and emails by service members, their loved ones, and civilians caught “in the crossfire” of conflicts dating back to the American Revolution and up to the present day.
The documentary is directed by the award-winning filmmaker and professor John Benitz, who has also directed a play written by Carroll, “If All the Sky Were Paper,” based on his travels and what he has found.

Following the “first look” of scenes from the documentary, Carroll and Benitz will participate in a mediated discussion with the audience. There will also be live readings of selected letters by student actors from Theatre UCF.

Watch the preview https://vimeo.com/636671275/b154167ed9

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this event do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event is part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2023. Each spring, UCF hosts a large-scale celebration of creativity at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This year, UCF Celebrates the Arts turns the spotlight on the intersection of arts and technology, and showcases our students, faculty and alumni through dance, concerts, cabaret, lectures and discussions, film, chamber music, visual arts and more. The festival has events and exhibits for all ages and interests, and with half of the events being free, is a perfect opportunity to try something new. Fantastic possibilities lie ahead at UCF Celebrates the Arts, April 2-15 at Dr. Phillips Center! Learn more at arts.ucf.edu.