Brian Delate, a Trenton native who has vacationed in Avalon, was on the ground in the Soho district of New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, when he saw the first plane crash into the World Trade Center about a quarter of a mile away.
He also was in combat in the Vietnam War. Then, in 1992 he watched his fa-ther—a World War II veteran—pass away.
These experiences contributed to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that can occur after a person has been through a traumatic event.
Consequently, actor-director Delate—a decorated Vietnam veteran—knows all about PTSD. So much, in fact, that he will show his award-winning film about the subject to veterans, military person-nel, and the general public on Saturday night, Sept. 27, during the second an-nual Wildwood By The Sea Film Festival.
PTSD is and from Delate’s own life experiences has emerged the film, “Sol-dier’s Heart,” which won the award for best narrative feature at the GI Film Fes-tival. He spent two years writing, direct-ing, and acting in the film.
“I wanted to do something that could help veterans and service personnel, as well as the general public, who might be suffering from this disorder,” Delate said. “The movie takes a look at the pro-longed effects of PTSD caused by war and the healing that’s possible.”
The film will be shown at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Wildwoods Convention Center during the four-day film festival, which is being presented by the Greater Wildwood Hotel and Motel Association.
Delate will hold a talkback session with veterans and others after the show-ing. Veterans and service personnel with credentials will be admitted free. Ad-mission for others is $10.
Steve Tecco, president of the hotel-motel organization, said the showing of the feature length film has special sig-nificance in these times, and will be part of a film festival that will include the showing of some 100 innovative and new movies.
“We welcome everyone to see this meaningful movie, especially those with military background and their families,” Tecco said.
Delate, who has appeared in the soap operas,” All My Children” and “As The World Turns,” also has performed in the movies with some of today’s big name actors, including Jodie Foster, Al Pacino, Jim Carrey, and Tim Robbins.
Also appearing in the film are two other well-known soap opera actors James Kiberd, the only daytime star to be cited as one of the top 15 fan favor-ites of the 1990s, and Cady McClain, a two-time Emmy Award nominee.
Kiberd and McClain are attempting to readjust their busy TV film schedule to join Delate at the festival, according to Paul Russo, festival producer.
Tickets for the film showing, starting at 7 p.m. at the Convention Center, are $10.
The festival will feature the showing of some 100 films, 30 of them world premieres, and an opening night salute to Mario Lanza. For further details call 609-729-9453 or visit the website at wildwoodbytheseafilmfest.com.
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