Kino Lorber has acquired the Sundance documentary “Soul Patrol.“
The documentary which premiered earlier this yr through the movie competition, relies on the bestselling memoir by Ed Emanuel. Directed by J.M Harper, the movie was an official choice on the True/False Movie Competition, Full Body Documentary Movie Competition, DC/DOX, and was just lately awarded the highest documentary prize on the Sarasota Movie Competition. Kino Lorber is planning an awards season theatrical launch this Fall adopted by a digital, instructional, and residential video launch.
Via Tremendous 8 movie, archival footage and speaking heads, “Soul Patrol” doesn’t simply reunite a number of the Vietnam Struggle’s first Black particular operations workforce as they inform their story; it examines what it was like for these “soul brothers” to be preventing probably the most essential wars in historical past. The documentary additionally seems at how even by this reunion, the trauma of battle nonetheless exists for Emmanuel and his workforce. The story is a reckoning – an intimate portrait of survival, reminiscence, and the enduring price of battle on these requested to struggle it.
Harper stated, “Making ‘Soul Patrol’ has been one of the great honors of my life. Ed Emanuel trusted us with a story that he and these soldiers have carried quietly for half a century, and our hope has always been that the film could help restore their place in history. Kino Lorber has long championed films that preserve memory, challenge viewers, and expand the cultural record, so this partnership feels especially meaningful.” He added, “We’re excited for ‘Soul Patrol’ to reach a wider audience and for this extraordinary, long-overlooked story to be seen in theaters.”
Lisa Schwartz, Chief Distribution & Income Officer for Kino Lorber stated, “‘Soul Patrol’ stayed with me long after its Sundance premiere earlier this year.” She stated, “It was unbelievable that the story of this incredible group of veterans had not been told long ago, and I knew immediately that we needed to be a part of this film. With stunning archival footage, impressive cinematic style, and honest emotional moments, Soul Patrol is essential documentary storytelling that honors a group of men whose recognition is long overdue. We’re grateful to Ed Emanuel for sharing his story and to J.M. Harper for his exceptional work and talent bringing it to life. We couldn’t be more proud to bring this film to North American audiences.”
“Soul Patrol” is a Wavelength and Impression Companions presentation of a Park Footage, Gestalt Image
Co. manufacturing, in affiliation with Mass Attraction and Concordia Fellowship. The movie is produced by Sam Bisbee, Danielle Massie, Harper, Nasir Jones, and Peter Bittenbender and govt produced by Ed
Emanuel, Joe Plummer, Jenifer Westphal, Stacey Reiss, Lance Acord, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Cody
Ryder, Wendy Neu, Jenny Raskin, Kelsey Koenig, Lauren & John Driscoll, Geralyn White
Dreyfous, Davis Guggenheim, Rahdi Taylor, Andrew Gertler, Max Allman, Ted Haddock, and Nina
& David Fialkow.
The deal for Soul Patrol was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and CAA and Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Soul Patrol ” marks Kino Lorber’s second acquisition out of this yr’s Sundance Movie Competition. Harper gained the Directing Award for the US Doc Competitors at Sundance.
The corporate additionally acquired Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiñana”, and marks the most recent transfer in a busy 2026 for the impartial distributor, whose documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” just lately gained the Academy Award for Greatest Documentary Characteristic.
