Kino Lorber has acquired the Sundance documentary “Soul Patrol.”
The documentary, which premiered during the film festival earlier this year, is based on the best-selling memoir by Ed Emanuel. Directed by J.M. Harper, the film was an Official Selection of the True/False Film Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, DC/DOX, and recently won Best Documentary at the Sarasota Film Festival. Kino Lorber is planning an awards season theatrical release this fall, followed by digital, educational and home video releases.
Through Super 8 film, archival footage, and talking heads, Soul Patrol not only reunites some of the Vietnam War’s first black special operations teams to tell their stories; It explores what these “soul brothers” were like fighting one of the most important wars in history. The documentary also highlights that even after this reunion, the trauma of war is still present for Emanuel and his team. This story is an intimate depiction of survival, memory, and the enduring cost of war for those called upon to fight.
Director Harper said: “Making ‘Soul Patrol’ was one of the great honors of my life. Ed Emanuel entrusted us with the story that he and his soldiers have been quietly telling for half a century. Our hope has always been that this film “This partnership feels particularly meaningful as Kino Lorber has long championed films that preserve memory, challenge audiences and expand the cultural record.” He added, “We look forward to bringing ‘Soul Patrol’ to a wider audience and seeing this extraordinary, long-overlooked story in theaters.”
“‘Soul Patrol’ stayed with me long after its premiere at Sundance earlier this year,” said Lisa Schwartz, Kino Lorber’s chief distribution and revenue officer. “We couldn’t believe that the story of this amazing group of veterans hadn’t been told a long time ago, and we knew right away that we needed to be a part of this film. With stunning archival footage, a striking cinematic style, and moments of honest emotion, ‘Soul Patrol’ has long gone unrecognized. This is a much-needed piece of documentary storytelling celebrating a group of men. We are grateful to Ed Emanuel for sharing his story and his extraordinary work and talent to bring it to life. We couldn’t be more proud to bring this film to North American audiences.”
“Soul Patrol” is a presentation by Park Pictures, Wavelength and Impact Partners of Gestalt Pictures.
Co-produced in partnership with Mass Appeal and Concordia Fellowship. The film is produced by Sam Bisbee, Daniel Massey, Harper, Nasir Jones, and Peter Bittenbender, with Ed serving as executive producer.
Emmanuel, Joe Plummer, Jennifer Westphal, Stacey Reese, Lance Accord, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Cody
Ryder, Wendy New, Jenny Raskin, Kelsey Koenig, Lauren and John Driscoll, Geralyn White
Dreyfuss, Davis Guggenheim, Rady Taylor, Andrew Gertler, Max Allman, Ted Haddock, Nina.
& David Fialkow.
The Soul Patrol deal was negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers by Carolina Dwyer and CAA and Submarine’s Vice President of Acquisitions Kino Lorber.
“Soul Patrol” is Kino Lorber’s second film to be released at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Harper won the Best Director award at Sundance’s U.S. Doctors Competition.
The company also acquired Rafael Manuel’s “Filipinana,” the latest move in a busy 2026 for the independent distributor whose documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
