By Zach Collier
On September 14, the film MVP will premiere in 34 cities all over the United States. Presented by GNC Live Well Foundation and produced by Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions, it dramatizes the formation of Merging Vets & Players. Merging Vets & Players (MVP for short) is a non-profit organization founded by Green Beret and former NFL player Nate Boyer and Jay Glazer, also a former NFL player.
The organization began when Boyer and Glazer recognized similarities between the difficulties veterans and former NFL players faced after returning to normal life. The organization matches up former combat veterans and former professional athletes in order to help each other through the transition into their new lives away from battlefields and playing fields respectively.
In the film, a recently retired NFL player on the streets of Hollywood is saved from scandal by a homeless veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With their glory days behind them both, the two men bond in search of true purpose and identity. The film features military veterans and former professional athletes both in front of and behind the camera.
One of those veterans is Utah musician Andrew Wiscombe. Together with fellow Utah artist and partner Michelle Moonshine, they lend their music to a film whose subject matter is close to Wiscombe’s heart.
Wiscombe is also a veteran. His time as an army sniper has deeply affected every aspect of his life. He recounts his experiences in the painfully beautiful ballad “White Mâché.” Wiscombe is no stranger to non-profits that assist combat veterans: he has also lent his musical skills to Operation Encore on several occasions and has spoken openly about his experiences in the military.
About the film, Wiscombe says, “This world needs more kindness, support and genuine compassion. This project embodies that. It’s okay to be anti-war yet still be pro-human. I know I am.”
MVP will premiere on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 PM at The Gateway Megaplex in Salt Lake City, Utah. To snag a ticket, click here. You can watch the trailer for MVP below. You can also read our review of Wiscombe’s latest album.
Provo Music Magazine 