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" It's when I started reading the diaries of the young men, their voices came alive to me. A young man's story of being shipped out to a foreign arctic place experiencing war for the first time, " said Film Director Pamela Peak.
The film titled "Voices of a Never Ending Dawn" is a re-enactment of battle scenes from World War One.
" It's historical for one, and true life is the other factor," said Actor Alex Alexandrou.
Director Pamela Peak, whose grandfather also fought in the war, says the film centers around a group of soldiers called the Polar Bears.
"A good number were farm guys from Ellsworth, Petoskey, Cross Village, and Charlevoix. These guys thought they were all going to France. They were sent to northern Russia," Peak said.
Some of the film was shot downstate, and the final battle scene is being recreated near East Jordan. Due to the extreme winter conditions Peak says the Polar Bears became iced in, and she says forgotten.
"Imagine if there was a world war and your son was left for eight months and you didn’t know if he was alive or dead," Peak said.
Peak says she hopes the film serves as a reminder of the thousands of Michigan soldiers who fought for their country.
"The soldiers will be remembered. Even though it's a past war and not many people know about it, it is something people will remember," Alexandrou said.
"A positive story in favor of our veterans because all these guys remain loyal, but it also shows true horrors of war and maybe speak to the hearts of all Americans," said Peak.
The director of the film is hoping to wrap up shooting in East Jordan this weekend. The film makes its debut on Memorial Day.
