ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
Josh Close stars as an American soldier struggling to make sense of civilian life when he is confronted with the complexities of gun violence in his hometown.
SYNOPSIS
AMERICAN SOLITAIRE explores America’s deep cultural connection to guns through the intimate story of a wounded veteran navigating the emotional aftermath of war. As he struggles to reintegrate into a society where firearms are revered and gun violence is pervasive, he embarks on a journey to heal himself and, by extension, challenge his country to allow for a broader vision of a soldier’s path to healing.
Written and directed by Aaron Davidman, this powerful narrative film invites audiences to reconsider the U.S. cultural relationship with guns. Through the protagonist’s personal story, the film examines the hidden costs of military service, PTSD, reintegration, and the enduring psychological impact of combat, while confronting how masculinity, identity, and notions of safety have become entangled with the presence of firearms in American life.
At its heart, AMERICAN SOLITAIRE reveals the lifelong work of undoing the military conditioning that “trains violence in and tenderness out.” It does not advocate for a single policy solution, but instead creates space for reflection and dialogue—encouraging viewers of all perspectives to question assumptions about strength, responsibility, and what it truly means to protect and heal.
By highlighting the intergenerational ripple effects of war and the possibility of transforming pain into connection, AMERICAN SOLITAIRE positions the restoration of tenderness, community, and emotional wholeness as essential to moving beyond cycles of harm and imagining a more compassionate future.
PROJECT UPDATE
AMERICAN SOLITAIRE received its world premiere November 7, 2025 at the Coronado Island Film Festival; launched a limited theatrical release at Cinema Village in New York City on April 17, 2026 followed by screenings in a number of theatrical markets, at film festivals and in community settings with audience conversation supported by our national partners. The film is slated for digital release by Blue Harbor Entertainment on November 10, in honor of Veterans Day. See our website, below, for full details.
PROJECT TYPE Narrative Feature
DIRECTOR Aaron Davidman
SCREENWRITER Aaron Davidman
PRODUCER Aaron Davidman, Dylan Kussman, Josh Close
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Lisa Bruce, David Oyelowo, Maris Meyerson, Dan Cohn
WEBSITE americansolitairefilm.com
🎬 Support independent film through The Film Collaborative
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers.
Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081
Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
💳 Ways to Give
- Online:
Click the Donate button above. You can:- Use your PayPal account, or
- Check out as a guest with your debit/credit card — no PayPal account required.
- ACH or Wire
Email us for instructions.
- Zelle
Email us for instructions.
- Check
Checks are accepted, but for time and security reasons, electronic donations are preferred when possible.
Check donation instructions are here.
- Stock
Donating appreciated stock can increase your impact by up to 20%.
Learn more about advantages of stock donations here.
Email us for instructions.
- Donor-Advised Funds (DAF):
Instructions for donating from a DAF are here.
📈 Maximize Your Gift
- Many employers offer matching gifts, doubling or even tripling your donation. Some match contributions up to a year after they’re made.
- When donating via PayPal, consider covering the small processing fee to make the most of your gift toward the project.
📄 Tax Receipts
- In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts are issued for the amount TFC receives after payment processor fees are deducted.
- PDF tax receipts are emailed within 30 days of your online donation.
- The “receipt” immediately sent by PayPal is only a payment confirmation — it is not your tax receipt.
Thank you for helping bring powerful independent films to life.
ID: 421