Performers Salute The Troops With Documentary

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Half-a-world away from Iraq, Christian Schauf is reliving the time he spent overseas through his hour-long documentary.

"We started putting the story together and people were like, 'Wow, this is really, really interesting,'" said filmmaker Schauf.

A journey that started with just one performance with his band, Catchpenny, for deployed services members ultimately set the stage for much more. Schauf now provides nearly 40 percent of the entertainment for troops overseas.

"We just started thinking, 'What else would work in this environment for the troops?'" Schauf said.

Brainstorming led to a concert series and a performance featuring professional BMX bikers. Schauf and his crew kept cameras rolling at every base, never thinking the video would amount to much more than clips for sponsors.

Then six months of work produced "Bikes Over Baghdad." The film shows how entertainment can lift spirits when it's needed the most.

Jatin Setia, Executive Director of the Twin Cities Film Fest, thinks the documentary has potential.

"I think this film definitely has legs and I can definitely see it being shown at one of the major film festivals across the world," Setia said.

On June 14, the public will get its chance to see the documentary. For more information on the film, click here.