― Robert Henri
When your eyes well with tears during a movie preview you know you're going to see that film on it's premiere date. Watching a short clip of The Monuments Men, (premiere date tentatively set for February 7th) was such an experience. The movie is based on the true story of a World War II platoon, who President Franklin D. Roosevelt personally commissioned to infiltrate German territory and rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves, returning them to their rightful owners. The precious art trapped behind enemy lines was under German army authority to be destroyed. Museum directors, historians and art curators from all over Europe were called upon to prevent the destruction of the world's priceless treasures. The Monuments Men, risked their own lives to protect and defend a thousand years of humankind's ultimate artistic achievements.
The film features an all star ensemble cast assembled by and including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchette and Bill Murray. The screenplay was written and directed by Clooney and Grant Heslov from captivating high drama crime stories by American writer Robert Edsel. Edsel is also the author of Rescuing Da Vinci and Saving Italy. Most American citizens are completely unaware of the events that transpired during World World II in regard to preserving and protecting priceless art pieces for future generations. The world must recognize, marvel and pay tribute to the courage and bravery of all those who contributed to this incredible historic mission.
“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.” ― Émile Zola
