The AP (9/8, Jennings) reports that the documentary “Ward 54,” named after the psychiatric wing of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, is being shown out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. It “explores the trauma of three US war veterans who served in Iraq and how the military handled their cases,” as well as “the rise in military suicides following Iraq duty.” Reuters (9/8, Aloisi) reports that one of the veterans the film follows is Kristofer Goldsmith, who tried to kill himself upon being told he would return to Iraq. Now, he is fighting legally to receive an honorable discharge from the army despite his suicide attempt.
