THE TOP-SECRET STORY OF SACO - SINO AMERICAN COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION

Documentary, Feature,

United States

2024

Runtime, min

This is the untold story of a top-secret WWII U.S. Naval operation and its 2,500 US Navy and Marine volunteers who served under Chinese command and trained over 100,000 Chinese peasants into a guerilla force that registered the highest combat effectiveness of any US military branch during the war. Told by 17 SACO veterans who were interviewed 25 years ago, WWII historians, and retired Naval officers, with never-before-seen archival footage and photos. The stories include who and why SACO was established, how the men and supplies got to China, their missions and how they collaborated with the Chinese, their leaders Admiral Milton Miles and General Tai Li, and bureaucratic turf wars that occurred between SACO and the U.S. Army.

Director:

Daniel J. Levendowski

Selections and Awards:

Director's Cut International Film Festival Budapest Nominee Best Documentary Hungary Director's Cut International Film Festival Budapest Nominee Best First-TIme Director Hungary Cannes World Film Festival Cannes Nominee Best First-Time Filmmaker Feature France Crown Point International Film Festival Chicago Best Documentary Feature Film United States Crown Point International Film Festival Chicago Best Editing Feature Film United States Independent Shorts Awards Los Angeles Best Documentary Short-Bronze United States Depth of Field International Film Festival Rohoboth Beach Outstanding Excellence Documentary United States Depth of Field International Film Festival Rehoboth Beach Outstanding Excellence Direction United States Depth of Field International Film Festival Rehoboth Beach Outstanding Excellence Editing United States Clout Film Fest Sacramento Best Short Documentary United States Indie Short Fest Los Angeles Semi-finalist Best First Time Director United States Indie Short Fest Los Angeles Semi-Finalist Best Documentary Short United States Indie Short Fest Los Angeles Semi-Finalist Best Editing United States Miami Street International Film Festival Miami Award Winner Best Editing United States Miami Street International Film Festival Miami Award Winner Best Short Documentary United States American Golden Picture International Film Festival Jackstonville Selected United States Indie Short Fest Los Angeles Semi-Finalist Best First-Time Director United States

REVIEWS: