Stranger at the Gate

Fantastic story everyone should see. It is an inspiring and uplifting movie that gives you a wonderful feeling inside. The lesson you take away from the film is that warmth and affection is contagious, by being nice to anyone even if they are strangers or family brings out the good in people. Not all movies have a happy ending but this one brings a smile to your face and hope for all humanity. It is a true story about an ex marine and his struggle to find a place in society as well as deal with shell shock form his many tour of duties. This film is a must see don't miss it and tell all your friends and family too.

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!!!

Perhaps this is what is called "metanoia". Such a change in outlook, perception, a cardinal change of coordinates. And not everyone gets such an opportunity - to gain the experience of rebirth. Any war is always pain, trauma for life for all participants. And in order to overcome this pain, it is probably necessary to experience emotionally something secondary in terms of the strength of the experience. And in fact, what this man experienced - a soldier, a murderer on the threshold of the Muslim community - is a huge pain and relief. The girl, his daughter, is beautiful in her sincerity and spontaneity. Most likely, she is the main reason for the change in his worldview. And also -I admire the versatility of Conrad Fisher's talent! Incredible!...

Should you ever doubt that kindness and understanding can make a difference, please watch this film from director Joshua Seftel (WAR, INC, 2008). The 29 minute run time may just rejuvenate your faith in human beings to change their attitude and be accepting of those they once distrusted.

As a Marine, Richard "Mac" McKinney was trained to hate and kill Muslims. He was informed that they were terrorists out to destroy his country, and September 11, 2001 was all the proof he needed. A simple question from his young daughter Emily convinced him he needed to act, so he plotted to bomb the Islamic Culture Center of Muncie (Indiana). So this former Marine, a trained killer and hater, headed to the mosque to obtain the "proof" he needed to convince his daughter that his actions were righteous.

A funny thing happened. Mac was treated kindly by the folks there. They asked him questions and guided him to a better understanding. Now this didn't happen overnight. A shift in beliefs never occurs quickly. However, their treatment of Mac not only (unknowingly) saved their own lives, it saved his as well. He may have been trained to not think of his war targets as human beings, but he found them to show him more humanity than he'd ever known. It's chilling to see Emily ponder what it would have been like to have a mass murderer as a father, and mostly we are inspired to see good people work so diligently at accepting someone who initially showed them nothing but hatred. Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is one of the producers of the film.

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.