Silkies

Overview

Silkies is about an unorthodox way to bring military veterans together to prevent suicide. It profiles the work of Irreverent Warriors, who organize dozens of Silkies Hikes each year across the United States, where men and women gather wearing only their insanely short military-issue ‘silkies’ boxer briefs. They then hike 22 kilometers with 22 kilograms on their backs to remember and mourn the 22 veterans who kill themselves on average each day. More importantly, the film documents how the Hikers are aiming to do more than ‘raise awareness’ about suicide; it shows how the Hikes' atmosphere of camaraderie, humor, and vulnerability actively prevents veteran suicide.