The Lion King producer Don Hahn, has joined Emmy Award-winning director Michael Brown on a new documentary, HIGH GROUND.  The film tells the true story of wounded veterans whose road to recovery takes them to the top of a Himalayan giant on a journey to heal the wounds of war.

Since 2002, almost 50,000 U.S. soldiers have returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan with their lives radically altered by war. They face long painful paths to recovery. This beautiful, powerfully moving film tells the story of 11 veterans - one who is blind, three who have lost limbs, and all  who suffer from the mental and emotional ravages of war. Shot on location in Nepal and the United States, the film follows an expedition that teamed disabled veterans with world recognized mountain climbers, including blind Everest summiter Erik Weihenmayer. Together they take on a formidable mountain challenge, all in the name of celebrating the return of our nation's heroes.

 “The story of these soldiers banding together to heal the wounds that have so radically altered their lives is beyond inspiring,” said producer, Don Hahn. “I’m thrilled to join a gifted filmmaker like Michael in this remarkable undertaking.”

“Working with Don is a dream come true,” said Michael Brown, director and five-time Mount Everest summiter.  “Don’s track record of film production is at the highest level and will lead HIGH GROUND to achieve the quality and visibility it deserves.”

Composer Chris Bacon (Source Code) has signed on to compose the score.  Oscar winner Gary Rizzo (Inception) is slated to mix the film, with sound services provided by Skywalker Sound in Marin, California.  HIGH GROUND will make its festival premiere in early 2012.

About Don Hahn

Don produced the box office giant The Lion King and the classic Beauty and the Beast, the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar®.  Hahn’s films have been nominated for 18 Academy Awards.  He recently directed Waking Sleeping Beauty and Hand Held and is Executive Producer of Tim Burton’s upcoming stop-motion animated film Frankenweenie (October 2012).

About Michael Brown

As a world-class mountaineer, Michael has summited Mount Everest five times. A three-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Michael has made over 50 expeditions to all seven continents, all with cameras rolling. Men’s Journal calls him “a master of gut-dropping action.” 

To view the trailer go to: http://soldierstothesummit.org/2010/latest-soldiers-to-the-summit-film-trailer/