Director’s Statement

Lauryn Ritchie

When this project first landed on my plate, I initially saw it as a gripping yet straightforward tale of a soldier mastering the art of distilling moonshine while deployed in Afghanistan. Little did I know, every chat with Mike Girard peeled back a new layer, revealing a story far richer than anticipated. Mike’s fervor for discussing mental health became the focal point, leading me to hear the stories from other veterans and realize the profound lessons we can all learn from them.

So my vision evolved from a 5-minute short film about Mike’s moonshine journey to a heartfelt 40-minute documentary discussing the mental well-being of veterans. Through the powerful stories shared in Bombs to Booze, my earnest wish is that those grappling with mental health challenges find inspiration to enhance their quality of life.