SYNPOSIS
Private McKinley Nolan vanished forty years ago in Vietnam on the
Cambodian frontier. Some say he was captured, some say he was a
traitor, some even say he was an American operative. The U.S. Army
officially claims he was radicalized and “went native," joined the Viet
Cong and was later murdered by the Khmer Rouge. In 2006, retired U.S.
Army Lt. Dan Smith, revisiting the battlefields of his youth, may have
encountered McKinley, alive. So begins a journey into the heart of
darkness.
The film follows the Nolan family from the cotton belt of Texas, to the
battlegrounds of Vietnam, to the killing fields of Cambodia and unfolds
as a mysterious fever dream filled with doubt, longing and the will to
believe. Nolan's ghost starts out seeming like a nostalgic vision that
we want to capture. But, like a will-o-the-wisp or a banshee, he calls
us deeper and deeper into the jungle, and into impossible liaisons with
Viet Cong and Khmer Rouge. The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan is a
mystery, but it’s also, more profoundly, a haunting meditation on war,
memory, and love.
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
REACTIONS
“Intimate and beautifully shot, the film take us on a fugue-like
counterpoint between Texas and Cambodia, Vietnam and D.C., families and
governments, the grieving and the guilty, loss and acceptance, leaving
the audience stunned, moved and profoundly haunted.”
George Williams, author of Degenerate and Gardens of Earthly
Delight
“Instantly one of the most moving and utterly compelling documentaries
of recent years… all at once a haunting film, a compelling story, and
an amazing look at aspects of the Vietnam War that had previously
remained just as mysterious as Nolan’s fate.”
Collin Parker, Examiner
“The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan taps into this slow burner and
raises our submerged anxieties to a bewildering, disturbing surface. A
riveting documentary, not a straight line, not always simple to follow,
and don’t expect a Hollywood ending. After all this is Vietnam.”
Stewart Nussbaumer, Huffington Post
“As full of emotion, pathos, guarded contrition and genuine ambivalence
as any great war movie.”
Josh Rosenballt, Texas Observer
“A thriller punctuated with hauntingly edited images of period conflict
footage… provocative mix of docu and experimental film…the search for
one of the last missing G.I.’s in Vietnam proves a long and winding
road into a sad heart of darkness.”
Eddie Cockrell, Variety
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
“Pvt. McKinley Nolan, the off-camera guiding force behind Henry Corra’s
powerful new documentary film, is not a hero or anti-hero -- he’s a
ghost. Forty years after Nolan disappeared in Vietnam, his brother and
a well-intentioned Vet retrace his steps with the slim hope that
McKinley may still be alive. Their search takes them from a
congressional office in Texas to the killing fields of Cambodia, and
each answer they uncover raises two more questions. To be sure, The
Disappearance of McKinley Nolan is a mystery, but it’s also, more
profoundly, a haunting riff on war, memory, and love.”
Paul Wachter, writer for The New York Times Magazine and The
Nation
"The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan is a visceral road-run through a
landscape of faces, emotions, pain and war. Michael Nolan is an
incredible presence; he fills the screen with his tireless and noble
spirit."
George Hamilton, Actor
"A revealing trip into the heart of darkness. The journey that this
film takes the Nolan family on, and us, is inspirational and moving. It
lights a fire, gives amazement and closure."
Tim Page, Vietnam War combat photographer
"The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan is truly eloquent."
Patricia Bosworth, writer Vanity Fair
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
HENRY CORRA - BIOGRAPHY
Henry Corra is a New York City based
documentary filmmaker best known for
his highly acclaimed films Umbrellas
(1995), George (2000), Frames (2004),
Same Sex America (2005) and Emmy
nominated NY77: The Coolest Year in
Hell
(2007).
Corra's
work
is
influenced
by
cinema
verité
filmmakers David and Albert Maysles
(Salesman,
Grey
Gardens,
Gimme
Shelter) whom he collaborated with
from 1981 - 1994. Since 1994, Corra
has
had
a
thriving
production
company. He draws on the talents of
some of New York's most innovative
and original filmmakers, editors,
artists, musicians and designers who share a commitment to exploring and
expanding new narratives in nonfiction filmmaking.
Corra's films have been exhibited worldwide in theatrical venues in New York
City, San Francisco, Paris and Berlin, and in broadcast venues including HBO,
SHOWTIME, LOGO, CBS, PBS, VH1, ARTE and CHANNEL 4.
His work has also been
exhibited in museum and cultural venues internationally including The Museum of
Modern Art, New York, THE LOUVRE in Paris and THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART,
Washington, DC as well as the Pacific Film Archives in San Francisco.
He's done episodic TV projects for broadcasters including MTV, VH1, Bravo, and
The Sundance Channel and he's been singled out as one of the foremost directors
of reality TV commercials in America creating highly successful campaigns for
clients ranging from Gateway Computers, Proctor and Gamble, SC Johnson, Reebok,
McDonalds and Ford.
Currently Corra is finishing his latest feature, The Disappearance of McKinley
Nolan.
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
HENRY CORRA - FILMOGRAPHY
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MCKINLEY NOLAN (2010, 77 minutes, Henry Corra) US Army
Private McKinley Nolan vanished forty years ago in Vietnam on the Cambodian
frontier. Some say he was captured, some say he was a traitor, others claim he
was killed in the Khmer Rouge genocide, and some even say he was an American
operative. In 2005 a Vietnam Vet sighted him alive by near Tay Ninh, Vietnam.
The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan follows one family's journey into the heart
of darkness to find the truth.
JACK (2009, 87 minutes, Henry Corra) This highly original documentary is an
authentic portrait of an advanced alcoholic on what could be his final run.
Never judging or proclaiming, the film is a wild ride you cant get off. Henry
Corra, best known for his highly personal and affecting films – along with
newcomer Eben Bull – has made one of his most honest, poetic and “intoxicating”
films yet.
NY77: THE COOLEST YEAR IN HELL (2007, 120 minutes, Henry Corra) Commercial
director Henry Corra of Corra Films has directed a two-hour VH1 Rock Doc that
documents one of the most tumultuous years in New York City’s history. The Emmy
nominated documentary examines everything from the birth of hip-hop, the
burgeoning disco movement, the famed New York blackout, the Son of Sam murders,
the sexual revolution and the city’s ongoing financial and political problems.
The list of people interviewed by Corra includes Mayor Ed Koch, Screw magazine
publisher Al Goldstein, porn actress Annie Sprinkle, hip-hop pioneers KRS One,
Afrika Bambaataa and D.J. Kool Herc, punk’s Richard Hell, Blondie’s Christ
Stein, Studio 54 co-owner Ian Schrager and disco diva Gloria Gaynor.
SAME SEX AMERICA (2005, 90 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) History was
made when Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to sanction gay
marriage. Filmmaker Henry Corra weaves the stories of seven gay and lesbian
couples on their emotional journey to the altar with the dramatic showdown at
Massachusetts' constitutional convention, a vivid demonstration of democracy in
action that may change the course of history. The film captures all the nuance
of what may be the defining chapter in the history of the gay and lesbian
struggle for equal rights.
FRAMES (2004, 53 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) In this film about
legendary media artist Grahame Weinbren, Corra effectively captures the
complexity, mystery and excitement of the creative process. The film takes its
lead from Weinbren’s work where spectators become characters and subjects,
living participants as they interact with sound and story, image and screen.
Frames had it's world premiere at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival in New York
City.
GEORGE (2000, 88 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) Described by Amy
Taubin in The Village Voice, as “an exceptionally intelligent and moving
documentary that explores Corra’s twelve year old autistic son George, who uses
his own video camera to make a movie within the movie. In fact, the film is
about how we define normalcy.” George had its American theatrical premiere at
The Screening Room, New York and was shown at the Museum of Modern Art, New
York, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., The Gaga Film Festival,
Berlin Germany. It aired on HBO in July 2000.
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
UMBRELLAS (1994, 93 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) The controversial
story of the artist Christo’s grand-scale environmental art project in Japan
and California that ended in the tragic death of two of its spectators. At its
world premiere in 1994 at the Berlin International Film Festival, Howard
Feinstein of Variety praised the film as, “highly original and structurally
flawless . . . an ambitious documentary about an ambitious project.” Umbrellas
won The Grand Prize at the Montreal International Film Festival. It was shown
at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, The National Gallery of Art, Washington,
D.C. and The Louvre Museum, Paris and on the European network ARTE.
CHANGE OF HEART (1992, 57 minutes, Henry Corra, Kate Hirson) This
documentary explores the reversal of heart disease through changes in
lifestyle. It is an intimate portrait of four patients, four wives and
one doctor. Change of Heart premiered nationally on PBS/NOVA in 1992
and was shown at: NY Film and TV Festival (1992), National Film and
Video Festival (1992), Blakeslee Award for Medical Journalism (1992),
Academy of Medical Films (1992).
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
PRODUCER BIOGRAPHIES
Celia Maysles: Producer
Celia Maysles was born and raised in New York City and graduated with a degree
in Hispanic studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. Her first
feature film, Wild Blue Yonder, about her search for her father, famed verite
filmmaker David Maysles, premiered in November 2007 and was “one of the most
talked about documentaries at IDFA” (Variety). Wild Blue Yonder continues to
play on international television and is being exhibited in universities around
the world.
She has also worked as a producer, developer, and real people
recruiter for Corra Films since 2004, working on projects including the feature
documentary Jack, VH1 pilot “Proof,” MTV’s “True Life: I’m Amish,” and The
Disappearance of McKinley Nolan to be released in 2010.
Jeremy Amar: Producer
Jeremy Amar grew up in Louisville, Kentucky; studied philosophy at Kenyon
College and the Sorbonne in Paris, France; and began his film career as a
special effects intern on a South Indian film that tried to remake Clash of the
Titans with a uniquely Indian perspective. Since moving to New York City in
1993, he has produced a diverse array of projects for film and television.
Highlights include a branded content co-production with NBC, Nike and Weiden
Kennedy for the Athens Olympics (Marion Jones: Life in the Fast Lane); a series
for AMC (Autobiography: Dennis Hopper); the Emmy-Nominated NY77: The Coolest
Year in Hell for VH1; and True Life: I’m Ex-Amish for MTV. His short form
resume includes more than 100 commercials, corporate films, music videos and
web content for products ranging from Coke to Crest, SNL to CBS, Target to
Valtrex, Mastercard to Mercedes, Kodak to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
American Express to the Gap, and many, many more.
Danny Glover: Executive Producer
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Louverture Films
Actor, producer, and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence
on screen, stage and television for more than 25 years. As an actor, his film
credits range from the blockbuster Lethal Weapon franchise to smaller
independent features, some of which Glover also produced. At the same time,
Glover has also gained respect for his wide-reaching community activism and
philanthropic efforts, with a particular emphasis on advocacy for economic
justice, and access to health care and education programs in the United States
and Africa.
As someone who is passionate about his community activism and philanthropic
efforts, Glover is deeply involved with the Vanguard Public Foundation based in
San Francisco.
In 2001, he assumed the board chairmanship of TransAfrica
Forum, the African-American lobbying organization on Africa and the Caribbean;
and he actively serves on the board of The Algebra Project, a math empowerment
program developed by civil rights veteran Bob Moses.
Internationally, Glover
has served as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development
Program from 1998-2004, focusing on issues of poverty, disease, and economic
underdevelopment in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and currently
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
serves as UNICEF Ambassador.
In recognition of his lifetime dedication to
public service Glover was honored with the 2002 Marian Anderson Award, 2003
NAACP Chairman’s Award, and 2004 BET Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the
2006 Director’s Guild of America Humanitarian Award.
In 2005, Glover co-founded Louverture Films, dedicated to the development and
production of films of historical relevance, social purpose, commercial value
and artistic integrity. The New York based company has a slate of progressive
features and documentaries including the award winning African feature Bamako,
the Academy Award nominated Trouble the Water, the music documentaries Africa
Unite and Soundtrack for a Revolution, and the forthcoming Salt of this Sea.
Joslyn Barnes: Executive Producer
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Louverture Films
Joslyn Barnes is a writer and producer with experience in several fields. She
is the author or co-author of twelve commissioned screenplays for feature films
including the upcoming epic Toussaint, and the award-winning film Battu,
directed by Cheikh Oumar Sissoko (Mali), which she associate produced with
British Screen and EMET Films. Since co-founding Louverture Films, Barnes has
executive produced the award-winning feature Bamako, the music documentary
Africa Unite, Academy Award® nominee for Best Feature Documentary Trouble the
Water, and the forthcoming Salt of this Sea, and Soundtrack for a Revolution.
Barnes has also served as an expert consultant and programme officer at the
United Nations. She has lived and traveled widely in Africa and Asia, and has
written numerous articles covering trade and social development issues, as well
as contributing to books on the establishment of electronic communications in
developing countries, food security and production in Africa, and strategic
advocacy for the inclusion of gender perspectives on the international
development agenda.
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
CAST &
CREDITS
TV COMMERCIALS
A Film By Henry Corra
Produced by Celia Maysles, Jeremy Amar, and Henry Corra
Original score
Robert Burger
Executive producers
Danny Glover
Joslyn Barnes
David Alcaro
Editors
Kimberley Hassett
Eben Bull
Consulting producers
Richard Linnett
Rithy Panh
Filmed and Directed By Henry Corra
Cast (in order of appearance):
Michael Nolan
R.L. Brown
Mary Nolan
Ollie Madison
Magdalena Padilla
Frank Wagner
Leotis Maxie
Louis Madisen
Earl Jereal
Richard Linnett
Lt. Dan Smith
Leroy Preistly
Roger Nolan
Clarence Brown Jr..
James Santee
Robert Lee Brown Sr.
Tula Rose
Earleen Higgins
Stanley Sauls
Jared Burton
Gloustene J. Burton
Vivian Harris Maxie
Johnny Baber
Rose Brown
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Thach Quang
Ms. Hoa
Mr. Cong
Mrs. Cong
Benjamin David Reich
Cham Sone
Nguyen Van Tinh
Dang Thuan Hoa
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
Nguyen Van Thien
Nguyen Van Tuoi
Dao Sy To
Tit Ream
Thol Koung
Ung Chun
Ou Seng Heang
Ta Sonn
Sarah Thomas
Denny Danielson
Production Credits:
Inspired by the research and writings of journalist Richard Linnett
and the short story “At the Chamkar Café” by George Williams
Filming team
Henry Corra
Celia Maysles
John Romeo
Jeremy Amar
Associate producers
Gulce Kilkis
Annmarie Pisano
Additional camera
John Romeo
Kevin Jones
Patrick Whalen
Fixers: Vietnam
Richard Connors
Dinh Huyen Tram
Fixer: Cambodia
Thol Koung
Production support Cambodia
Matthew Robinson
Translators
Benjamin David Reich
Rebecca Williams
Dany Li
Millan
Sok Sokunthy
Driver
Lim Yoleap
Legal
Paul Nugent
Jackie Eckhouse
John Sloss
Thomas D. Selz
James Fallon
Post-supervisor/asst. editors
Omry Maoz
Patrick Whalen
Sound design
Eben Bull
Kimberley Hassett
Musicians
Robert Burger
Shelley Burgon
Christina Courtin
Christopher Hoffman
Vocals
Catherine Jauniaux
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
Score mixer
John Killgore
Additional composition by
Audio mixer
Eben Bull
Tom Paul
Audio mixing facility
Gigantic Studio
Online facility
Corra Films Post
Graphics and color correct Jeremy Medoff
Production assistants
Frederick Cartha
Sally Hildreth
Charles Mysak
Kate Rees
David Shoichet
Production interns
Melissa Brodie
Sophie Corra
Violet Dennison
Maggie Emerson
Max. A. Feder
Cass Marie Greener
Camilla Jones
Josie Keefe
Dan Castle King
Sean Gordon-Loebl
Anastasia Metveyeva
Sarah Schneidermann
Ore Shalhav
Taylor Shung
Joshua Solondz
Michael Trumpf
Kim Zaunberger
TV COMMERCIALS
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Michael Nolan – McKinley’s Brother
Michael Nolan was born in Texas and currently lives in Austin, where he
owns a shipping palette company. He has been summoned to testify on
behalf of his brother at the Cambodian Genocide Tribunals in Summer
2010, and is considering moving to Cambodia, near the spot where his
brother disappeared.
Mary Nolan – McKinley’s Wife
Mary was born in Washington, Texas, and fell in love with McKinley at a
high school basketball game when she was 16. After her husband
disappeared in 1967, she spent 40 years petitioning the Army to release
his personnel records and prove that he was captured, not a deserter.
She has not yet received them, and she has never remarried.
Dan Smith – U.S. Army [Ret.]
Dan Smith was born in 1951 in Compton, CA, to a military family. He
joined the Marines and left for Vietnam in 1969, where he rose to
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
become a Sergeant. He lost his leg in a
1971. In 2005, on a trip to revisit the
saw an American he believed was the
determined to bring the man back to his
currently retired and lives in Washington
battle on his second tour in
battlefields of his youth, he
elusive McKinley Nolan and
family in Texas. Dan Smith is
State.
Richard Linnett – Journalist
Richard first starting digging into the story in 1999 while researching
his book The Eagle Mutiny, which was published in 2001. His research
picked up steam in 2002 when he revisited Cambodia to report on a
search for the remains of journalist Errol Flynn for the British
magazine JACK. While working on the Flynn story in Kampong Cham and
Kratie provinces, Cambodian villagers talked about a black American
living among them during the war and he was instantly on the case.
Linnett is currently turning his research into a new book project.
Sheila Jackson Lee – U.S. House of Representatives
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her eighth term as a member
of the United States House of Representatives. She represents the 18th
Congressional District of Texas, centered in Houston, which is the
energy capital of the world. Congresswoman Jackson Lee earned a B.A. in
Political Science from Yale University with honors, followed by a J.D.
from the University of Virginia Law School. In the 110th Congress, she
was named the new Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. She sits on
three Congressional Committees – the House Committees on the Judiciary,
Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs. She has been hailed by Ebony
magazine as one of the “100 Most Fascinating Black Women of the 20th
Century,” and U.S. News and World Report named her as one of the 10
most influential legislators in the House of Representatives.
TV COMMERCIALS
1964
Texas.
1965
TIMELINE
McKinley and Mary Nolan are married in Washington,
McKinley Nolan enlists in the U.S. Army and leaves for
Vietnam. Shortly after he leaves, his son Roger is
born.
1967
Saigon
McKinley Nolan goes AWOL from the U.S. Army near
1973
Khmer Rouge emerges as a power in Cambodia,
controlling 85% of territory in the country. McKinley
Nolan is reported living among the Khmer Rouge by the
U.S. Military.
December 1974
Henry Kissinger signs memo making McKinley Nolan
potentially eligible for a United States amnesty
program
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
1977
McKinley Nolan and his family are last seen alive by
their Khmer Rouge “minders” in Chamkar Caffee
Village, Cambodia
October 23, 1991
Cambodian parties sign a peace treaty in Paris,
agreeing to organize a national election
April 15, 1998
Khmer Rouge
Pol Pot dies, spelling the final collapse of the
2005
Dan Smith encounters a black American in Tay Ninh,
Vietnam, who he believes is McKinley Nolan
Spring 2007
Brazos, Texas
Dan Smith meets the Nolan family in Washington-on-
September 2008
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee meets with Nolan
family members and pledges her support for their
search
October 2008
Cambodia
Michael Nolan and Dan Smith leave for Vietnam and
November 2008
Khmer Rouge
McKinley Nolan is declared an official victim of
January 2009
The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command sponsors a
military search for the body of McKinley Nolan
March 30, 2009
Cambodian Genocide Tribunals officially begin with
the trial of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as ”Commander
Duch”
Fall 2010
Michael Nolan is invited to testify at the second
round of Tribunals
Fall 2010
evidence
TV COMMERCIALS
Youk Chhang requests footage from MKN as tribunal
SCREENINGS
Silverdocs AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, June 2010
World Premiere
Sidewalk Moving Pictures Festival, September 2010
Centerpiece Screening
Camden Film Festival, October 2010
Woodstock Film Festival, October 2010
Honorable Mention
New Hampshire Film Festival, October 2010
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM
Flyway Film Festival, October 2010
Best Feature Documentary
Austin Film Festival, October 2010
DOCNYC, November 2010
IFF Boston, April 2010
Sneak Preview
197 GRAND STREET #7 NEW YORK, NY 10013 T. 212.965.8600 F. 212.965.8660 WWW.CORRAFILMS.COM