This film will change your life...

The Maine premiere of The Way We Get By was shown last night at the Collins Center forthe Arts at UMaine. It was just the beginning of the films theatrical run through Maine before it heads off to New York and Los Angeles.



At the center of the festivities was Old Town native and New England School of Communications alum, Aron Gaudet -- director and editor; Gita Pullapilly -- producer and interviewer; and Winslow native and UMaine alum, Dan Ferrigan -- co-director of photography.

All three major cast members were also in attendance. Joan Gaudet (Aron Gaudet's mom), Bill Knight, and Jerry Mundy. These three senior citizens made the audience of fellow troop greeters, veterans, Maine National Guardsmen, friends, and family members laugh and cry throughout the 80 minute show.

Amy and Troy Johnston from Old Town (pictured above) are two of Joan Gaudet's grandchildren. They both appear in the film and have been to deployed to the Middle East during the Iraq war.

"It makes me cry every time I see it," said Joan Gaudet, pictured above with Gita Pullapilly.

For the past four years the small crew has been working on this film. It wouldn't have come to fruition without the help of Bangor Savings Bank, MPBN, and executive director Warren Cook, CEO of Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley.

Close to 1 million soldiers have come through Bangor International Airport and have been welcomed by the troop greeters. While Knight, Mundy, and Gaudet are a small representation of the many volunteers, their story is universal.

"It's not just a Maine story, it's a human story," Aron Gaudet (pictured below) said. "Everyone gets old. My mom could be sitting at home alone or getting the adrenaline rush she gets by being a troop greeter. I saw how this had changed her life."


"Their intentions are so pure," Gaudet adds. "During the emotional moments, Dan and I would be behind the cameras wiping the tears away."

You can see the film at the Collins Center for the Arts tonight at 7:30 and on Saturday at noon. Tickets are $7 for the public and free for military personnel. For more information click here.