First Lady Michelle Obama (L) is greeted before a presentation on free speech at Peking University. (Photo : Reuters)
She is not a film critic but United States first lady Michelle Obama has announced her approval to the Oscar-nominated film "American Sniper."
On Jan. 30, the first lady attended Washington's launching of "6 Certified," a movement that aims to push for the accurate portrayal of military families and veterans in both television shows and movies. The program is covered by the nationwide campaign for veterans called "Got Your 6," a military term for "I have got your back."
"While I know that there have been movie critics, I have felt that, this film has touched the diverse experiences and emotions, which I was able to hear first-hand from several military families through the years," Mrs. Obama told the audiences.
Since the Jan. 16 release of "American Sniper," which features the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle portrayed by Bradley Cooper, it has both sparked the national debate regarding the Iraq war and the veterans, as well as, dominated the box office. Kyle, who is known as the deadliest sniper in the history of US military, was credited with 160 kills before his honorable discharge in 2009.
"Most US citizens tell us that most veterans are portrayed as either heroes or broken people who gets through wars easily, both in television and film," "Got Your 6" managing director Chris Marvin told the Fox News.
"We are missing something in between," Marvin added.
This "gap" is what the "6 Certified" will attempt to bridge through acknowledging films that portray a life of a veteran, cast a veteran, tell a veteran's story, or consult a veteran for production, said the LA Times.
"Got Your 6" program aims to change public perception of veterans as citizens who are dealing with substance abuse, unemployment, homeless into people who have leadership skills that can strengthen a community.
