Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen

Premiered November 11, 2024
Directed by Manny Marquez (he/him)

A veteran uses hand-carved battlefield crosses to reconnect with families of fallen, fellow Marines.

About the Documentary

Riddled with survivor's guilt after his unit lost 17 men during "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, Marine veteran Anthony Marquez makes it his mission to reconnect with the Gold Star families of the fallen. By carving and hand-delivering a battlefield cross for each of the families affected by loss, Anthony finds the path to heal himself.

The Filmmakers

Manny Marquez (he/him)

Manny Marquez grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he currently lives with his wife and six children. He is of Mexican and Native American (Choctaw) descent. His first feature Psychopath was released in 2014, followed by the award-winning short Operation Allie. Manny is the director of Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen, his second feature film.

Anthony Marquez (he/him)

Anthony Marquez (producer) served in the Marine Corps from 2007 to 2012. He deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan in 2011. His unit, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, suffered great losses, with 17 men killed in action. Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen documents his journey of remembrance for those 17 fallen Marines and their Gold Star families.

Ben Leiser (he/him)

Ben Leiser (executive producer) has worked in film for almost three decades. Raised outside of Chicago, Ben was from the singular Jewish family in the area. He met Manny in 2003, and they soon became filmmaking partners. It was during the filming of Psychopath that Ben was acquainted with Anthony and they’ve been close friends ever since.

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