‘What did you do in the war?’

The film “Return” follows the journey of a retired Green Beret as he travels from Billings to Vietnam, where he had served two tours of duty during the war. Produced and directed by filmmakers Pete Tolton and Stan Parker, who are based in Billings, the documentary explores the intricate context of the Vietnam War while focusing on the personal narrative of veteran Jim Markel Sr. Joining him on this emotional expedition is his son, as they confront the ghosts that have haunted Jim for 45 years.

This year’s Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula will showcase a 90-minute film that took six years to create. The film includes 125 hours of footage shot in Billings and various locations in Vietnam. It offers an intimate portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder, delving into themes such as family dynamics, the aging process, forgiveness, and redemption. The film adopts a verite style, avoiding the use of talking heads, narration, or interview questions.

Before the idea of the film even crossed their minds, Tolton and Parker shared a close friendship with Jim Markel Jr., the son of Markel. They would occasionally collaborate on video projects and Markel Jr. would often share his ideas with them. However, one day, he reached out to the filmmakers with something more intimate. Markel Jr. revealed that his father, who struggled to discuss his experiences in the Vietnam War, was finally beginning to share his thoughts.

Parker shared, “He mentioned that his dad discussed Vietnam in a unique manner. It seemed like he might be considering going back there, and he thought it could be an interesting story for us to join them. I could sense the significance of this for Jim Jr. just by listening to his voice.”

In 2016, Parker was not residing in Billings. Consequently, Tolton approached Markel Sr. to explore potential storylines that the filmmakers could pursue. Initially, Markel Sr. appeared hesitant, but during the hour-and-45-minute interview, he divulged more than Tolton had anticipated.

Tolton explained that during their initial interview, his main objective was to familiarize himself with the situation. However, he quickly realized that the questions he posed to the individual were unique and had not been previously asked. Tolton acknowledged that this tendency to refrain from sharing information is prevalent in this particular scenario. Consequently, when someone is finally presented with queries regarding their war experiences, the impact can be quite significant and lead to an open and profound conversation.

Similar to numerous war veterans, Markel Sr. had repressed his memories and shielded his emotions. He had devoted a significant portion of his life after the war to drinking. Although he had begun discussing his experiences with his son, it remained a sensitive and unfamiliar topic. However, his unreserved disclosure during the interview reassured the filmmakers that his story held great potential.

“He bears the weight of something substantial. In the midst of a profound transformation, he traverses through a particularly momentous period in his life, one worth preserving. Consequently, I found myself tightly holding on, refusing to release my grip.”

Billings filmmaker Pete Tolton

Tolton expressed, “Everything just spilled out. I realized, ‘Oh, there is something worth anticipating here. He bears a burden, undergoing a profound change at this moment, and it is crucial to capture this exceptional phase of his life. Therefore, I held onto it tightly and refused to release my grip.”

In the unfolding of the documentary, Markel Sr., who battles with PTSD, confronts two significant sources of guilt. One being the abandonment of the Vietnamese mountain people, who fought alongside him during the war and were treated like family, only to be mercilessly slaughtered by the Viet Cong when the United States withdrew from the country. This tragic event has haunted Markel Sr. and left an indelible mark on his conscience.

Markel Sr. repeats multiple times in the film how we were responsible for extracting them, but instead, we deserted them.

Furthermore, the film delves into Markel Sr.’s remorse for his absence as a father during the war and his subsequent struggles as a broken parent. It serves as a journey to unearth his inner anguish and seek solace. Markel Sr., a man who rarely expresses himself, exhibits a subtle and deeply moving willingness to confront his past.

In 2018, the filmmakers along with the two Markels embarked on a three-week journey in Vietnam. The documentary titled “Return” beautifully portrays their experiences in Saigon, where they collaborated with the remarkable translator and guide, Nguyễn Vinh, and the talented camera operator, Trần Hồng Quang. These outstanding individuals are rightfully credited as the film’s “lifesavers.”

Parker and Tolton revealed that being behind the camera allowed them to undergo transformative moments in a bustling city, where sidewalk karaoke, sizzling pots of pho, and lively conversations were a constant presence. Parker found riding on scooters during rush hour to be a truly transcendental experience.

He remarked, “It seemed as if I belonged to a shoal of fish.”

The movie traces the team’s journey through villages and locations that Markel Sr. vividly recalls from his time in the war. Along the way, they encounter a diverse range of individuals, with whom they engage in heartfelt conversations and share meals. It becomes apparent that some of these individuals have been grappling with their own traumatic experiences long after the departure of the U.S. military.

“Return” manages to maintain a warm and hopeful tone, despite the serious subject matter of PTSD and the Vietnam War. Tolton describes it as a comforting homecoming.

Both filmmakers emphasize the hopeful feeling, highlighting Markel Sr.’s struggle with physical health during the trip. However, his return signifies a positive change in his mental well-being.

“Return” primarily showcases snippets of war footage and vintage photographs of Jim Markel Sr., with Tolton and Parker intentionally avoiding extensive analysis or commentary on the war.

In order to gather information for their project, the pair engaged in extensive consumption of various materials. They dedicated time to watching the documentary series “The Vietnam War” by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, as well as personally meeting with veterans to listen to their accounts. Additionally, they delved into influential literary works such as “The Things They Carried” and “On Killing.” Tolton primarily focused his research on analyzing television news footage from that era, aiming to comprehend the political climate, propaganda, and social tensions that Markel Sr. would have encountered upon returning from the war. Although the majority of this background research did not find its way into the final film, it greatly influenced the filmmakers’ approach.

Parker stated that we came to a decision on the most significant way we could contribute to the field and remain authentic to our subjects. Our focus lies in exploring the profoundly personal narrative, specifically the impact of war on relationships. This includes the dynamics within a family and the bonds among soldiers, even extending to our allies who were left behind in the battlefield.

Tolton expressed his desire for the communication tools and experience he currently possesses, which aided him in initiating his initial conversation with Markel Sr., to have been available during his late grandfather’s life, who had served in World War II. He hoped that “Return” would serve as an inspiration for families to engage in conversations that have been postponed for far too long.

Tolton expressed the difficulty of revealing personal struggles buried deep within, such as sadness, hardship, or shame. Equally challenging is mustering the courage to ask probing questions after years of contentment in one’s comfort zone. Tolton sincerely hopes that people will come across this and be inspired to take that leap of faith.

“Return” screens at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m., at the Wilma Theater in Missoula, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.