Exit 12: Moved By War
Documentary Short Film
Part of the “For Every Kind of Dream” Series by Square
Variety: 2019 SXSW Film Festival Awards: Exit 12 wins Best Documentary Short Prize
“Exit 12: Moved by War" is the fifth film in Square's For Every Kind of Dream series.
Like many veterans, US Marine Roman Baca wasn’t the same when he returned home from war. He served in Fallujah, Iraq from 2005 to 2006. His experience ravaged him with depression, anxiety, and anger issues. With the encouragement of his wife, Lisa, Roman decided to return to his formal dance training as way to cope. He found that dance helped him “reprogram” his mind and body. This led Roman to start Exit12—a New York based dance company that tells stories of war through dance and choreography. Exit12 also hosts workshops that give veterans and military families a way to confront the effects of war and share their experience.
Vimeo: Staff Pick Premiere: When Damce Heals Post-War Scars (Link)
Exit 12 tells the story of Iraq War veteran and Square seller Roman Baca. After he returned from war, Roman struggled with depression and anxiety. At the urging of his wife, he decided to tap into his classical ballet training to help him cope and to tell the story of what he experienced. “When I got back from Iraq, I was angry—struggling with depression, anxiety. I was at the end of my rope. My wife was afraid of who I was. She said, ‘If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?’”
- Roman Baca, Artistic Director/Cofounder, Exit12 Dance Company
Film Details
Director: Mohammad Gorjestani
Cast: Roman Baca, Everett Cox and the Exit 12 Company
Producers: Square & Even/Odd
Director of Photography: Logan Triplett
Art Direction: Madison Hatch
Core Costume Team
Assistant Costume Designer : Stephanie Levin