Kino Lorber has acquired the Sundance documentary “Soul Patrol.“
The documentary which premiered earlier this year during the film festival, is based on the bestselling memoir by Ed Emanuel. Directed by J.M Harper, the film was an official selection at the True/False Film Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, DC/DOX, and was recently awarded the top documentary prize at the Sarasota Film Festival. Kino Lorber is planning an awards season theatrical release this Fall followed by a digital, educational, and home video release.
Through Super 8 film, archival footage and talking heads, “Soul Patrol” doesn’t just reunite some of the Vietnam War’s first Black special operations team as they tell their story; it examines what it was like for these “soul brothers” to be fighting one of the most important wars in history. The documentary also looks at how even through this reunion, the trauma of war still exists for Emmanuel and his team. The story is a reckoning – an intimate portrait of survival, memory, and the enduring cost of war on those asked to fight it.
Harper said, “Making ‘Soul Patrol’ has been one of the great honors of my life. Ed Emanuel trusted us with a story that he and these soldiers have carried quietly for half a century, and our hope has always been that the film could help restore their place in history. Kino Lorber has long championed films that preserve memory, challenge viewers, and expand the cultural record, so this partnership feels especially meaningful.” He added, “We’re excited for ‘Soul Patrol’ to reach a wider audience and for this extraordinary, long-overlooked story to be seen in theaters.”
Lisa Schwartz, Chief Distribution & Revenue Officer for Kino Lorber said, “‘Soul Patrol’ stayed with me long after its Sundance premiere earlier this year.” She said, “It was unbelievable that the story of this incredible group of veterans had not been told long ago, and I knew immediately that we needed to be a part of this film. With stunning archival footage, impressive cinematic style, and honest emotional moments, Soul Patrol is essential documentary storytelling that honors a group of men whose recognition is long overdue. We’re grateful to Ed Emanuel for sharing his story and to J.M. Harper for his exceptional work and talent bringing it to life. We couldn’t be more proud to bring this film to North American audiences.”
“Soul Patrol” is a Wavelength and Impact Partners presentation of a Park Pictures, Gestalt Picture
Co. production, in association with Mass Appeal and Concordia Fellowship. The film is produced by Sam Bisbee, Danielle Massie, Harper, Nasir Jones, and Peter Bittenbender and executive produced by Ed
Emanuel, Joe Plummer, Jenifer Westphal, Stacey Reiss, Lance Acord, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Cody
Ryder, Wendy Neu, Jenny Raskin, Kelsey Koenig, Lauren & John Driscoll, Geralyn White
Dreyfous, Davis Guggenheim, Rahdi Taylor, Andrew Gertler, Max Allman, Ted Haddock, and Nina
& David Fialkow.
The deal for Soul Patrol was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and CAA and Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Soul Patrol ” marks Kino Lorber’s second acquisition out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, following Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiñana”, and marks 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.
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