Story of Heroism and Brutality During World War II

The Wereth Eleven Story of Heroism and Brutality During World War II to be Featured at the Prestigious GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C. in May

As seen on National Geographic Channel, “Caught by the SS: The Wereth Eleven” will be featured in full-length at the Fifth Annual GI Film Festival on Saturday, May 14 at 4:45 p.m. at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. in honor of Armed Forces Appreciation Month

Southold, N.Y. – April 12, 2011 – “The Wereth Eleven,” an epic docudrama based on the true story of the dramatic escape made by 11 American soldiers at the start of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, will be featured in full-length at the Fifth Annual GI Film Festival in celebration of American servicemen and women. The world premiere will be held at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 14 at 4:45 p.m. EST.

“The Wereth Eleven” is one of 31 films to premiere at the GI Film Festival between May 9 and May 15 that honor the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty. The festival films are known to express the courage and selflessness of American soldiers and the value of their work.

Narrated by “The Closer’s” Corey Reynolds, “The Wereth Eleven” retraces the steps of 11 soldiers of the segregated African-American 333rd Field Artillery Battalion who escaped The 18th Volksgrenadiers after their unit was overrun at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Their 10-mile trek from their battery position to Wereth, Belgium led them to refuge with a Belgian family until a Nazi sympathizer revealed their presence to an SS Reconn Patrol. The soldiers surrendered, but were taken to a field, where they were tortured, maimed, and shot on Dec. 17, 1944. The killings were investigated, but never prosecuted.

“This story really moved me and I’m proud to have it featured on film at the GI Film Festival,” stated Joseph Small, executive producer of “The Wereth Eleven” and CEO of The Ardennes Group. “My mission has been to increase awareness of these heroic men and their story. People need to know what happened to the 11 soldiers and learn of the contributions of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. The GI Film Festival will be instrumental in helping get the word out about our heroes and their sacrifices for our nation.”

The powerful and poignant film is an epic docudrama with stunning Hollywood-grade visual effects, interviews with people who were there, and archival footage.

“The Wereth Eleven” was produced by The Ardennes Group with executive producers Small, Robert Child, and Frederic Lumiere. The film was directed and written by Child, and edited by Lumiere: producer, director and editor of the groundbreaking Emmy Award-winning series “WWII in HD,” narrated by Gary Sinise.


The GI Film Festival screening of “The Wereth Eleven” will be on Saturday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. EST at the United States Navy Memorial located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 7th Street Northwest and 9th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C . Click here to view the trailer for “The Wereth Eleven.”

About The Ardennes Group
Launched in 2009 by CEO Joseph Small, The Ardennes Group develops and produces historical military documentaries and films. The company’s productions include the World War II docudrama, “The Wereth Eleven,” which premiered nationwide on National Geographic Channel (credited as “Caught by the SS: The Wereth Eleven”) and the soon-to-be released war documentary, “USS Franklin: Honor Restored,” based on Joseph A. Springer’s book, “INFERNO: The Epic Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in World War II.”

About Robert Child
Originally from New England, Robert Child has worked behind the scenes as a writer, technical director, and director for more than a decade with network clients including HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Child produced a series of highly regarded and award-winning Civil War films including “Gettysburg: The Boys in Blue” and “Gray and the docudrama Gettysburg: Three Days of Destiny.” Child also directed “Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom,” “Silent Wings: The American Glider Pilots of World War II,” “The Wereth Eleven,” and “USS Franklin: Honor Restored.” Child has won numerous awards including five Telly, two CINE Golden Eagles, Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival, and Special Jury at World Fest Houston. In 2011, Child was selected to receive the highly coveted Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. His work has also been named as Official Selection at major United States film festivals including the New York Independent Film Festival and the Washington DC Independent Film Festival. Click here to view Child’s Director Reel.

About Frederic Lumiere
Frederic Lumiere is an award-winning filmmaker who’s first feature film, “Tomorrow is Today” starring Scout Taylor-Compton (“Halloween I,” “Halloween II”) received 11 awards, including the Directorial Discovery Award from the Rhode Island International Film Festival. He has also produced, directed, and edited award-winning programming for Cinemax, A&E, History, Biography, and The National Geographic Channel. Before executive producing and editing “Caught by the SS: The Wereth Eleven,” Lumiere produced, directed, and edited the groundbreaking Emmy Award-winning series “WWII in HD,” narrated by Gary Sinise. Click here for more work by Lumiere.

Twitter: @TheWereth11 Story of Heroism & Brutality During #WWII Featured at Prestigious GI Film Festival in D.C. 5/14 #Wereth11 http://bit.ly/hy3u8m


For Official Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YULUUoc-fI


For press information, contact:
Verena King
702-354-3527
Verena@verenakingpr.com