This Powerful Reagan Library Film Night Will Leave You Speechless—Here’s Why
Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley) – As Memorial Day approaches—a time for honoring the lives and sacrifices of America’s military heroes—the Reagan Library in Simi Valley will host a powerful evening of film and conversation. On Tuesday, May 20, the public is invited to a screening of the recently released film Brothers After War, followed by a live, on-stage conversation with the film’s director, Jake Rademacher.
From Executive Producer Gary Sinise, Brothers After War documents Rademacher’s journey to reconnect with his brothers and the elite Soldiers and Marines he embedded with during the Iraq War. According to the film’s official description, the story intercuts past and present footage, leading viewers on “an insightful, humorous, and moving journey” as warfighters explore loss, meaning, and hope on their path from soldier to veteran. WATCH THE TRAILER
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with the film screening, followed by a director discussion at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include one bag of popcorn. Additional snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Held just days before Memorial Day, the program offers a timely and heartfelt reflection on the experience of military service.
Jake Rademacher, founder of Metanoia Films and Perseverance Productions, brings a uniquely personal perspective to his work, having embedded with four combat units to document the lives of his own brothers in uniform. His storytelling captures both the raw intensity of war and the emotional journey that continues long after soldiers return home.
The event takes place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.
Simi Valley is home to many veterans and military families, including local heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Among those most recently remembered are Marine Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo (2020), Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Britton Mihalo (2012), Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Cribben (2017), Marine Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Cullins (2010), and Army Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo (2004).
Visitors to the Reagan Library can also pay their respects at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument, a permanent tribute on the library grounds that honors families who lost loved ones in service to the United States. The black granite monument offers a quiet place for reflection.
Perched on a ridge overlooking the hills, the Reagan Library is one of the most visited presidential libraries in the country. The site includes a replica of the Oval Office, a portion of the Berlin Wall, and the Air Force One aircraft used by President Reagan.
Event admission does not include access to museum galleries or exhibits. However, daytime visitors may purchase separate tickets to explore the full campus, which features the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Presidential Learning Center, the Air Force One Pavilion, and the Reagan Leadership Academy. The library is also hosting the special exhibition Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition, running through September 2. This once-in-a-generation exhibit features eight authentic Dead Sea Scrolls and more than 200 artifacts from the Second Temple period. (reaganlibrary.gov)
For more information, visit www.reaganfoundation.org.
