About The Film
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
This is a very personal story to me. My mother, Joan Gaudet, is a troop greeter and a character in the film. Witnessing firsthand how her life changed in such positive ways, while at the same time touching the lives of troops from all over the country, convinced me this was a story that could inspire people. This is a unique film, encompassing important social issues and controversial topics, while remaining a story that every American can support. While troop greeting may not be an option for many of the nation's seniors, it demonstrates how community involvement can significantly improve the lives of the elderly in America.
Throughout The Way We Get By, each character tells their own story, without the aid of narration, through on-camera interviews and moments of verite. Unlimited access to our characters provides an in-depth look into their lives. Keeping the camera static whenever possible allows each of them to quickly forget they are being filmed, removing any barriers between them and the viewer. The result of this shooting style is a well-crafted, layered story with a polished, cinematic look that enables the viewer to feel they are experiencing these personal moments alongside the characters. The pacing of the film appropriately matches the subject matter, allowing each storyline to breathe, while capturing life in a small town.
Finding "The Way We Get By"...
Written by Director Aron Gaudet
Calling home to talk to my 75-year-old mom used to be easy. She was always home and sitting by the phone. With few friends and fewer hobbies, her life had slowed to a crawl. And then one day I called and she wasn't home. Day after day, her phone rang and rang but she would never pick up. When I finally got her on the phone and told her my troubles reaching her, she replied "Well, you should try me on my cell phone."...When did my mom get a cell phone? She explained to me she was greeting troops at the airport, and it meant she was going there at all hours of the day and night, 7 days a week, so she needed a cell phone. And with that, my mom found a passion that transformed her life. It was something I had to see. The moment I saw the Maine Troop Greeters welcome home a plane full of soldiers and Marines returning from Iraq, I knew it could be a movie. The moment I met Bill Knight and Jerry Mundy, the two troop greeters we profile in addition to my mom, I knew it could be something more than a movie. I knew it could be a way to show the everyday struggles of senior citizens and an inspirational story of how these three seniors use a simple handshake to change their lives, and the lives of the 800,000+ troops they've greeted.
