That's where our story begins — and the scene we open with.
This is the story of Milton Arend — a real man, in a real foxhole, on a real December morning in 1942 — unaware of the danger headed his way, and the gut-wrenching decisions he'd have to make before noon.
Tunisia, North Africa — December 1942
A gray stillness hangs over the air.
Two American soldiers hold a forward position on a remote ridge — one restless and full of life, the other quieted by a war that has already taken more than his spirit. Then a single shot shatters the silence. His closest friend falls.
Alone, outnumbered, and consumed by grief and rage, he fights back against a squad of advancing German soldiers — grenades, rifle, bare resolve. One man. Against all of them.
But when the smoke clears, he finds himself — staring at a rifle raised, finger on the trigger — facing a choice that has nothing to do with war.
Based on the true story.
Battle-hardened and passed over for promotion — again. Something in Leonard has gone quiet. He is a man of fierce, unbending honor who has survived everything the front has thrown at him. What he hasn't survived yet is this moment — and what it will ask of him.
Young, restless, and full of life in a place that extinguishes it. Artie fills the silence with stories, with questions, with an easy unforced warmth that somehow reaches even Leonard. He is the heart of this story — and, at its darkest moment, its unexpected grace.
I'm telling this story because it demands to be told. It's a story of unbridled selflessness — of a man who risks everything for his closest friend, who fights his way through impossible odds, and who then stands on the razor's edge of losing his humanity entirely. And it's true. A documented true story. That combination is rare — and it's exactly the kind of story I exist to tell.
The moral implications of this moment are profound. Stories like this have the power to change how a person sees themselves and the world. That’s my purpose for telling these stories and the purpose of Good Path Entertainment.
And there's urgency to it. Milton and the men who lived these stories are passing on — many without ever speaking about the sacrifices they made. The window to honor them is closing.
That's why Defiant exists.
America turns 250 this year. And what better way to honor that milestone than by extending their legacy beyond their lifetime. Though this is Collin's grandfather's story, it spoke to me personally as someone whose own family and friends have answered that same call across all of the wars and conflicts of the last one hundred years. These stories belong to all of us.
WWII films already command one of the most passionate and dedicated genre audiences in cinema — the timing couldn't be more right. The urgency couldn't be more real. We're already seeing it firsthand: our first public social posts simply announcing the film project drew hundreds of comments, likes, and shares almost immediately — within the first 24 hours. The appetite is there. The audience is waiting.
The expectation on this production is simple: 'Saving Private Ryan' level quality and performance at a fraction of that budget. That's just how we roll. There is no other alternative or compromise.
"Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well." - Philip Stanhope
To that end, we will have a WWII military historian/consultant involved during pre-production and on set during production. We will be using authentic WWII reenactment companies (German & American) on set for the exterior action sequences — both for background roles and as an additional layer of on-set accuracy. These are not optional line items. They are requirements.
Performance is the second part of the equation. That starts with the talent. We are conducting a national casting search for SAG-level performers for both principal roles and one supporting role, working with a casting director and leveraging industry connections to pursue the best available talent.
Production begins in November 2026 in Western New York — and we're shooting the entire film on a single exterior location. This keeps the world consistent and is the most cost-effective approach for a five-day shoot. I don't expect the weather to cooperate for this — it is intentional to the story. However, a heated base camp nearby with portable facilities and crew amenities keeps everyone supported through the early November weather. Five shoot days. Every one of them counts.
This production will be done well — and that starts with getting it right. Historical accuracy is a core value for us — especially when telling stories from the past. The details matter. Without them, a period film isn't grounded, and audiences who care deeply about this era will feel it immediately. I'm one of those people and that is not something I am willing to compromise on.
To accomplish that, the 6-figure budget has to reflect the quality we expect while remaining viable and pragmatic. I am no stranger to war and military films and their complexities — I made a few of them for the U.S. military as a young filmmaker. I chose this story to produce in part because of its deceptively simple setup — one location, allowing the bulk of the budget to go where it matters — the talent and story.
Defiant is a short film — and short films are rarely about financial reward. That's not why this story is being told, and it's not why I'd ever want anyone drawn to it. The truest return here is the film itself and the impact it will have — an impact that will outlive us all. A piece of history honored before it slips away. Everything else is secondary.
As I've mentioned, our goal is to create this film to a standard that earns it a place among the best — which is why we're targeting top-tier, Academy-qualifying festivals: putting it in front of festival programmers, audiences, potential distributors, and the kind of platforms that can carry this story far beyond a single screening. Those who know me know I don't truly care about accolades or awards. The only reason I'm a storyteller is for the impact it can have on a person, or on society at large. It's also about everyone who pours themselves into this production being genuinely proud of what they helped create — the story they've told, and the history they've preserved.
That said, here's how we plan to get this film seen: we'll submit to a focused slate of up to 15 carefully selected festivals — prioritizing prestigious military and short film festivals alongside the major circuit — while already pursuing every legitimate path to distribution, from streaming licensing with platforms like Apple and Netflix to organizational and educational licensing through WWII museums, veteran organizations, and academic institutions. Every set of eyes is a step toward honoring this story — and a potential step toward returning value in the trust given to us by you, the people who made it possible.
Thank you.