Woody Harrelson Makes An IMPACT

by Editorial October 30, 2009

written by Editorial October 30, 2009

John Pemberton, Jeanne Wola with Woody Harrelson. Photo by Tony Powell

John Pemberton, Jeanne Wolak with Woody Harrelson. Photo by Tony Powell

“I love this movie, maybe more than any other I’ve done,” said Harrelson, 48. “It’s a serious film, but it also has humor and is uplifting.”

The Oscar-winning actor participated in a panel discussion with policymakers, filmmakers, journalists and other activists, leading the discussion with fellow actor Ben Foster and director Oren Moverman. Afterwards he dropped by for an exclusive WL-sponsored event at Posh Restaurant & Supper Club in D.C.’s hip Penn Quarter.

In his new film Harrelson plays Tony Stone, a U.S. Army officer who’s just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Ben Foster stars as Will Montgomery, who’s partnered with Harrelson to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front.

“It’s not just a beautifully crafted film, it seems like it matters,” he said. “Especially to Vietnam vets. They have a very strong attachment to it, which means a lot of me. It’s definitely strong and emotional.”

Harrelson spent more than two hours at Posh holding lengthy conversations with journalists, lawmakers and other filmmakers and posing for fan photos. “We are just so thrilled to have Woody here,” beamed Kimball Stroud, one of IMPACT’s three co-founders, along with Jody Arlington and Jamie Shor. 2009 WL The Young & The Guest List‘s Rachel Eddins is also heavily involved with IMPACT.

The IMPACT Arts + Film Fund is a D.C.-based non-profit created as a platform for arts, documentary and narrative film making to engage with the political and policy arena. “We host screenings, panel discussions, promotional events, and exhibits to educate and enlighten audiences and create a climate for meaningful social impact,” Stroud said.

Harrelson has been a busy guy of late. His current film, “Zombieland,” is a huge hit, and some of his upcoming films include “Bunraku,” co-starring Josh Hartnett and Demi Moore, and “Defendor,” with Kat Dennings. He recently appeared in “Battle in Seattle” with Charlize Theron, “Transsiberian” with Ben Kingsley and “Seven Pounds” with Will Smith.

“I’d say it’s balls-to-the-walls acting,” Harrelson said. “It’s embracing chaos.”