July 7, 2009 - U.S. Marine Sergeant Nathan Harris from Yadkinville, North Carolina hands a plate of tea cups to a child after the child asked for them because the Marines are staying in his families home on July 7, 2009 in Mian Poshteh, Afghanistan . (Getty Images)
Camp Lejeune, NC -- A documentary film about a Marine from Yadkinville who returns from war in Afghanistan wounded and struggling to rebuild his life is among the nominees for an Academy Award.
An Oscar nod went to "Hell and Back Again" in the feature documentary category.
The film follows 26-year-old Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris as he deploys to Afghanistan in 2009 with his Camp Lejeune unit, then returns to Jacksonville to recover from a machine gun bullet that tore through his thigh and back.
Harris is a native of Yadkinville, North Carolina and married his high school sweetheart, Ashley.
Ashley's grandparents still live in Yadkin County and said the war definitely changed Nathan.
"He's a different person. He's more subdued now. He's a lot quieter. You can tell,, he's not satisfied with himself but he can't do anything about it." said Grady Grough.
They said the movie has opened their eyes to the sacrifices all soldiers make.
"The movie has taught me so much and living with them about wounded warrioirs and how little we as Americans do for them when they give their lives and physical ability for us to enjoy freedom," said Debbie Gough.
Filmmaker Danfung Dennis was imbedded with Harris's unit and observed firefights up close, then stayed with the Marine and his wife as they readjusted to life back home.
Dennis says his film was intended to show Americans the unvarnished realities of war.
Watch the movie trailer:
Hell and Back Again - Trailer from New Video on Vimeo.
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