This year, a squadron of real aviators are reunited in a story from Xfinity and its agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P). Directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) via production company SMUGGLER, the work is set to debut in May for Military Appreciation Month.
Titled The Aviators, the short tells the story of a grandfather anticipating the weekend reunion of his fellow U.S. Navy veterans. As he describes the group and the experience of flying an A-4 Skyhawk jet to his granddaughter (seen through moments of flashbacks to the era), an idea sparks in her mind to surprise her grandfather’s friends with an experience they never thought they’d have: flying their jets again. But they do, thanks to the power of Xfinity Internet.
The cast features a group of real Vietnam War veterans who flew the very same jets featured in the film. Former Navy commander Jack Gillett (call sign: “Razor”), former Navy lieutenant Jim Lloyd (call sign: “Zeke”) and former Navy lieutenant Bill Moir (call sign: “Offender”) flew together as members of the Gunslingers squadron on the USS Saratoga. And the film shoot was the occasion for their first in-person reunion in 16 years. Elester Latham (call sign: “Hollywood”), a former major in the Air Force, completes the veterans group.
“It’s an honor to work with veterans,” said Bigelow about the project in a behind-the-scenes documentary that’s available on YouTube. “They’re special people who’ve devoted their lives to our security, and I feel like it’s my opportunity to give back.”
The film also represents a reunion for Bigelow and a few of her key collaborators from over the years, with cinematography by two-time Oscar-winning DP Greig Fraser, ASC (who shot Zero Dark Thirty for Bigelow and won an Oscar for Dune) and sound design by three-time Oscar-winning sound designer Paul N. J. Ottosson (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Fury and more). It also features music from two-time Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (Dune, The Lion King, and more).
“Besides our veterans’ reunion, there’s another connection story happening here between a young girl and her grandfather. This experience brings them closer together as well. And the truth is, these sorts of miraculous, intergenerational moments of connection are happening every day across the country, thanks to Xfinity,” explained Jim Elliott, GS&P executive creative director.
One of GS&P’s many creative inspirations for the film came from an emotional moment when Elliott’s two sons showed his 90-year-old father-in-law–a former pilot with the Air Force–how to fly again with virtual reality.
In addition to this three-minute film, shorter versions of the story have been created for broadcast, along with a number of behind-the-scenes films and additional short films for Xfinity’s social channels.
