Before Jerry Springer, Oprah and Rosie O’Donnell there was legendary broadcast journalist Phil Donahue.
Talk-show host Phil Donahue discussed his views on the war in Iraq and debuted exclusive scenes of his controversial documentary “Body of War” for a Fairfield University audience on October 19, 2006.
After his daytime talk show was canceled because of his radical political views, Donahue turned his attention to filmmaking.
“Body of War” is a work in progress that tells the story of Thomas Young, a 26-year-old Iraq war veteran who was shot and paralyzed from the chest down.
“I don’t know how good this is going to be. I don’t know whose going to watch it. We made an entry to Sundance and if we get accepted then that’s when the noise will start,” said Donahue of his expectations of the film. “I’m not expecting to get the notoriety of Michael Moore.”
Two scenes shown from “Body of War” documented the life of Thomas Young and his struggle to return to normalcy after being paralyzed in the war, as well as a scene of Thomas and his mother saying goodbye to his younger brother before being shipped off to war.
Donahue hopes that this documentary will open up American’s eyes to the horrors of the Iraq war.
“Thousands of young people are dying for an administration that is radical. They are undermining the core values of the democracy they claim to represent. American soldiers should come home now, the problems in Iraq are going to take their own historical course regardless,” said Donahue.
“Body of War” will be ready for release early next year and Donahue said he used his own finances to fund the project and plans to give all of the proceeds to Thomas.
“Nobody is going to make money off of this man’s burden,” he Donahue.
Fairfield students were inspired by Donahue’s message.
“The talk was very interesting. I think it will be a very good film that will bring light to many different issues,” said Joe Skingor ’09.
“I think what he is doing is absolutely right. He is doing the right thing by inspiring open dialogue on a number of different issues. He’s getting people to talk about the issues that affect everyone,” said Cain Sheckart ’09.
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