Buried Above Ground 2016
Distributed by Passion River Films, 154 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059; 732-321-0711
Produced by Marc Smolowitz and Joedan Okun
Directed by Ben Selkon
DVD, color, 75 min.
General Adult
Psychology, Health Care, Social Work
Date Entered: 02/07/2017
Reviewed by Rodney Birch, Reference Librarian, George Fox UniversityWhat do you know about the struggles of persons living with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)? Buried Above Ground follows the stories of three people: a veteran of the Iraq War, a survivor of both child abuse and domestic violence, and a Hurricane Katrina evacuee, who all suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The film does a good job in providing some contextual information to inform the viewer of the nature of PTSD, including a definition, symptoms, and what type of events or objects may serve as “triggers” for someone living with PTSD. The vignettes capture the respective struggles that each person deals with, and how they worked to overcome them and live a fairly normal and productive life. The viewer will celebrate with them as they achieve a college degree, return to life through the help of a service dog, and returning home. Buried Above Ground provides a deeper understanding of life with PTSD and that there is not a “one size fits all” solution. One important aspect of the film is the information related to the ADA legislation regarding service animals, specifically for military veterans. The film would be a good addition to library collections supporting social work, health care, and counseling programs.