Stranger at the Gate

A must see 28 minute short that is well made, genuine and a surprise! About a father that seems normal and gets transformed because of the marine core. The performances are outstanding that stay interesting; I see why this has done well! The interviews/stories are fascinating along with being harsh. Stranger at the Gate is something special that is quite well directed something I probably wouldn't have seen if I wasn't as into the award shows more so than ever before and the subject matter is intense for me yet peacefully told. More than most shorts except The Boy, the Mole, the fox and the horse this is worthy of a win.

The documentary is about Mac McKinney, a former Marine who struggled with PTSD after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He developed hatred towards the Islam community. This film tells his journey from hatred towards understanding and compassion.

Really a chilling short documentary. The people he intended to kill would save not just his life, but also his soul. I just thought maybe the film could've been a bit longer, I dunno. But overall I find it riveting.

People, and I also mean the whole world, needs to see this. Love and kindness are the cure for all these hatred going on in this crazy world.

Richard McKinney spent over 25 hears in the US military and it's fair to say that when he returned home to Muncie in Indiana he was a pretty devout hater of all things Muslim. He despised their beliefs, their clothing and indeed admits that he completely lost the plot when he thought they were mixing with his young daughter. Determined to rid the town of this scourge, he set about planning a bomb attack on their mosque whilst they were all at prayer. It was on a recce, though, that he began to realise that these people were decent, respectful and kindly families who treated him with an humanity he had hitherto been lacking for many a year. Apparently it took him only a matter of weeks to realise that he had backed the wrong horse and that these were folks to be embraced as they had embraced him. It's not a great documentary. It does seem to suggest rather that the Muslim community has all the work to do to prove it's non-complicity in atrocities when they happen and that the armed forces are always acting honourably, but it did also make me wonder what steps the military authorities take to ensure the mental wellbeing of people who have basically given most of their lives to blindly obeying orders that require no compassion, evaluation or validation of the orders given. As one of his superiors pointed out to him - just imagine they are but pieces of paper on a target practice. It just goes to show that communication and interaction can go some way to breaking down barriers and assumptions and hats off to McKinney for his honesty.

This is a heartwarming demonstration of how in the midst of darkness, love and humanity can prevail. An uplifting piece amidst the global suffering of COVID and war.

Inner peace is not found in isolation, hatred of others or by renouncing the world, but can be attained as an active family member and member of one's community.

The importance of sharing with others what life has given, and living life fully with an awareness of the divine within each of us will make this world a better place.

This short films highlights all that is good with community and love of thy neighbour. An important reminder to us all. Highly recommend.

This is an intriguing true story, which my wife and I watched at the Walla Walla Movie Crush last weekend. It's a lesson of a dramatic change by a Marine after many tours of combat duty. It reveals that love and kindness can change hearts and minds. Richard McKinney was in Walla Walla and was very open and willing to talk to me (also a Marine). His daughter also plays an important role in this story. Do not miss seeing this .. DO NOT MISS SEEING THIS!!!