FLIC: Normandy celebrates American G.I.s in D-Day Documentary

“The Girl Who Wore Freedom,” a feature-length documentary screening at this weekend’s Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC), is a pride- and tear-inducing reminder of what freedom is, and how it is earned.

The film visits a celebration of the anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. While many Americans may have forgotten the history of that day, and the American contributions to the liberation of France from the Nazi regime, this story shows that clearly, France has not.

Each year, the people of Normandy celebrate and honor American veterans, along with our currently serving troops and their families. The 1940s costuming, parachute drops, music, dancing and speeches keep the memory of that momentous time alive.

Director and writer Christian Taylor will be on hand for a filmmaker’s Q&A session after the show. She connected with Gil Mangels of Polson’s Miracle of America Museum, and will tour the museum’s extensive World War II exhibits this week. Included among the displays is the replicated WWII bomber barracks recreated in a building that coincidentally was moved to the museum to allow the Showboat theater’s expansion.

Taylor will be bringing several artifacts for display at the theater, which may be supplemented by items from Miracle of America.

“This is one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen,” said Mangels, who was granted a celebrity preview of the film. Mangels’ parents worked at Boeing, helping build bombers for the war effort.

“The Girl Who Wore Freedom” will be screened at 6 p.m. Friday at Showboat Stadium 6 in Polson. For more information visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com, or FLICpolson.com for Cinemafest schedules and tickets.