In honor of Veterans Day, Neumann is hosting a free screening of Hell or High Seas on Friday, November 8, at 7 p.m. in the Meagher Theatre.
The documentary tells the emotional story of U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Grieger, who embarks on a journey to sail around the dangerous waters of Cape Horn to raise awareness about veteran suicide.
Using his own painful journey with PTSD to find healing for himself and pave a smoother path for veterans returning to civilian life, Grieger and writer Stephen O’Shea document their adventure therapy, a modern odyssey with a deep universal message of resilience, hope and second chances.
Beautifully filmed and brutally honest, the film captures the optimism of the crew as they traverse 10,000 miles of the world’s most treacherous seas.
Grieger is the captain of Skeleton Crew Sailing and a former Naval Rescue Swimmer. He was born and raised in Texas before spending six years in the U.S. Navy.
After leaving the military, he struggled with the transition to civilian life, was diagnosed with PTSD, and eventually inspired to launch the mission to sail around Cape Horn.
“Life is worth the fight,” says Grieger at the end of the film’s trailer.
He notes that the transition for military personnel into civilian life can be more deadly than combat itself. Since 9/11, he says, military suicides are four times higher than deaths in war operations.
In addition to education about veteran suicide, the movie also examines a potential solution. Adventure therapy is highlighted as a mechanism to address PTSD and a strategy to overcome it.
The 90-minute film, released in 2021, is directed by Glenn Holsten with producer Chayne Gregg and executive producer Robert Irvine.
Neumann faculty will lead a discussion after the film.
The event is the second of three bonus screenings sponsored by the Neumann Inspires Film Festival, which is scheduled for April 4-5, 2025. Reserve a seat for Hell or High Seas at www.neumann.edu/highseas.