How did you come up with this idea?
The Freedom Tour is a story written from actual events that I have experienced in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. When you see most war films, they often talk about major events that changed the course of the war on terrorism or an individual that did heroic actions that earned them the Medal of Honor or something close to it.
In The Freedom Tour, I wanted to tell the stories of some of my closest friends that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, yet their stories will never be told because they didn’t earn the Medal of Honor or change the war. But they were heroes, nonetheless.
While trying to accomplish this task, I also wanted to give my audience a glimpse into my world. In the military, you walk away from that life with an abundance of stories to tell. Some huge, some small, but these adventures were great—at least to us. I wanted to share a few of my stories during my time with the world. And so, I found myself combining several different events that I’ve experienced into one story. From doing a military mission and losing some very close friends in the process, to meeting a celebrity on a USO tour and having a wonderful experience meeting her. Of course, some events have been exaggerated for dramatic effect for movie purposes.
Was it difficult to combine romance with war drama?
I found it a little challenging to combine the two. I wanted to tell my brothers’ stories, but I didn’t want to lose the story’s focus, which was of course the main character’s journey. For inspiration I looked at Antoine Fuqua’s film Tears of The Sun. I liked how he implemented the love journey of Monica Bellucci and Bruce Willis’s characters within the war drama. I tried to emulate that style of storytelling.
What’s the most difficult part of writing action sequences?
As a beginning writer, I didn’t know how to approach it at first. Do I go into step-by-step detail of how the action plays out for the director to see? Or do I keep it vague? I decided, after all the back and forth, to be detailed. I wanted to keep true to how events actually happened and keep it authentic. I didn’t want my audience, especially my veterans, to not believe in the action and lose the connection.
The script explores several complex subjects such as what it means to be a military man, the artistic life, and the challenges that finding a person from a very different world implies. As a writer, what are you trying to say by covering all of these themes?
I feel that a lot of society, when they see a soldier, they just see the uniform. Sometimes it is forgotten that soldiers are regular people that want the normal things in life such as love, family, children, the house with the white picket fence.
Also, some military men and women have been serving for so long that they honestly do not know what to do without it in their lives. I wanted to touch on the subject for my veterans to show that there is life after the military and all these goals are achievable.
This goes with the artistic life. Celebrities are put on a pedestal and there’s a lot of pressure on them to maintain a certain image. I’m not from their world, but I sometimes feel that they look for quietness in their chaos as well.
Which brings me to the final subject: the challenges of two different worlds combining. Military life is a challenging one to say the least. Soldiers leave their families to protect our freedom for months, sometimes years at a time, with the possibility of never coming home. It is a strain on most families.
The artistic life can be a challenging one as well. Artists leave their families to provide. Distance in itself has always been tough on families. A celebrity’s life is publicized more so we see the multiple relationships and expensive divorces.
I feel like the dating circle of celebrities is a never-ending one, and maybe if they left that circle, it could be different for them. The experience that The Freedom Tour talks about led to a feeling I expressed to her, and it goes like this:
“All my life, she was a part of my life. For that brief moment in time, I was a part of hers. I didn’t see her as the celebrity crush I had since I was 14. I saw her, for her.”
From that moment on, I always felt: why can’t the ordinary Joe get the girl in the end?
And what are your goals as a writer, besides getting your work turned into a movie?
I want to continue telling stories that teach, inspire and entertain. I want to bring fresh new ideas to the screen. I know people are tired of seeing reboots. I want to give the people what they want: great stories leaving them wanting more.
How would you summarize the project, if you had to compare it to two other movies?
The Freedom Tour is a “It could actually happen one day” type of story. I’d like to compare it with Tears of the Sun or even maybe Pretty Woman. I think it has a hint of both in there. Most importantly, The Freedom Tour is inspired by actual events, which makes the dramatic events in it give the “It could happen” feeling.
Finally, do you have other projects you would like to mention?
I’m in the process of writing 2331. 2331 is another military-based movie on how a soldier is looked at only by his last four digits of his social security number. A subject veterans know all too well.
Also, be on the lookout for The Last Beginning, a cop starting his life over after tragedy strikes, and Lies of a Nation.
Short statement describing your vision of the post-COVID cinema, do you think there will be notable changes?
My vision of the post-COVID cinema remains the same as before. People love to go out to enjoy themselves, and what better way to enjoy a night out with friends and family than to see a great movie in the theaters.
Although streaming networks have made it easier to access new releases from the comforts of their couch, I still believe there is enjoyment in going to the theaters.
As filmmakers, we need to remind our audience of the joy there is in returning to the theaters. We need to continue to develop new and exciting stories that capture and captivate our audience. This will bring the people back to the theaters.
BIO
Biography Amir Sultan Cole
Amir Sultan Cole is an American screenwriter of African American and Native American heritage. He was raised in Camden, New Jersey, alongside his older sister, under the care of his mother, aunt, and grandparents.
After graduating from high school, Amir dedicated most of his adult life to serving in the U.S. Army as part of the Infantry and Ranger battalions. Throughout his military career, he earned numerous awards and citations for his commitment and valor.
Following his retirement from the Army in 2014, Amir returned to New Jersey and worked for the railroad. His natural talent for storytelling eventually led him to pursue a new path. In 2022, he enrolled at the Los Angeles Film School to refine his writing and film production skills.
“The Freedom Tour,” inspired by real-life events, is one of his most personal projects to date, blending war, romance, and introspection with authenticity and emotional depth.
