Director J.M. Harper Tells Story of 1st Black Special Ops Team in “Soul Patrol”

November 6, 2026

Joining host Michael Azevedo is director J.M Harper to discuss his new critically acclaimed documentary “Soul Patrol.” 
 
The documentary depicts the Vietnam War’s first Black special operations team that reunites to tell their untold story, revealing hidden military history and exploring whether confronting the past can heal old wounds. 
 
“Soul Patrol” is not just a war story, but a reckoning – an intimate portrait of survival, memory, and the enduring cost of war on those asked to fight it. Here’s the trailer. 
 
“Soul Patrol,” distributed by Kino Lorber, is currently playing in a limited theatrical release and open at the IFC Center in New York on November 6. 
 
J.M. Harper’s debut feature, As We Speak, premiered in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024, and his sophomore documentary, Soul Patrol, premiered there in 2026 and was awarded The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary. A multi-hyphenate documentarian, Harper has edited four feature films, including the Emmy-nominated series A Kanye Trilogy, and received a Peabody Award as an executive producer on Daughters. 
 

Making Media Now—which is available on all podcast platforms including YouTube–is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.

 
About the host: http://www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/

 
Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead