Real Aviators Reunite in Xfinity's Touching Film from Kathryn Bigelow

Every reunion has the potential to be special. But there’s nothing quite like a reunion of friends who have bonded through their service in the armed forces. 

This year, a squadron of real aviators are reunited in a story from Xfinity and their agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P). Filmed last October, the work is set to debut in May for Military Appreciation Month. 

Directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), the film - titled 'The Aviators' - tells the story of a grandfather anticipating the weekend reunion of his fellow US Navy veterans. As he describes the group and the experience of flying an A-4 Skyhawk jet to his granddaughter (seen through moments of flashbacks to the era), an idea sparks in her mind to surprise her grandfather’s friends with an experience they never thought they’d have: flying their jets again. But they do, thanks to the power of Xfinity Internet. 

“From reunions to experiences that cannot be re-created,  Xfinity Internet turns previous impossibilities into incredible new realities for people,” said Todd Arata, VP of brand marketing for Xfinity. “This film brings veterans back together again in the skies for an emotional reunion like no other. One so wonderfully told by a filmmaker who has made a career out of telling incredible stories of veterans - Kathryn Bigelow.” 

The cast features a group of real Vietnam War veterans who flew the very same jets featured in the film. Former Navy commander Jack Gillett (call sign: 'Razor'), former Navy lieutenant Jim Lloyd (call sign: 'Zeke') and former Navy lieutenant Bill Moir (call sign: 'Offender') flew together as members of the Gunslingers squadron on the USS Saratoga. And the film shoot was the occasion for their first in-person reunion in 16 years. Elester Latham (call sign: 'Hollywood'), a former major in the Air Force, completes the veterans group. 

“It’s an honour to work with veterans,” said Kathryn about the project in a behind-the-scenes documentary that’s available on YouTube. “They’re special people who’ve devoted their lives to our security, and I feel like it’s my opportunity to give back.” 

The film also represents a reunion for Kathryn and a few of her key collaborators from over the years, with cinematography by two-time Oscar-winning DP Greig Fraser (Zero Dark Thirty, Dune, The Batman, Lion and more) and sound design by three-time Oscar-winning sound designer Paul N. J. Ottosson (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Fury and more). It also features music from two-time Oscar winning composer Hans Zimmer (Dune, The Lion King, and more).

“Besides our veterans’ reunion, there’s another connection story happening here between a young girl and her grandfather. This experience brings them closer together as well. And the truth is, these sorts of miraculous, intergenerational moments of connection are happening every day across the country, thanks to Xfinity,” explained Jim Elliott, GS&P executive creative director. 

One of GS&P’s many creative inspirations for the film came from an emotional moment when Elliott’s two sons showed his 90-year-old father-in-law - a former pilot with the Air Force - how to fly again with virtual reality.

Xfinity has been recognised as one of the leading employers of veterans in the country. In 2022 Comcast NBCUniversal was recognised as the nation’s number-one telecommunications company for veterans. And since 2015, they’ve hired more than 21,000 veterans and National Guard and reserve service members, as well as military spouses, with more than 9,000 employees in their Veterans Network ERG.  

As the attached release outlines, part of the campaign, Comcast is also launching a new military benefits program of discounts and giving $1M to non-profits serving the military community. More information on that attached.

“We’re a proud military-ready company that honours and celebrates what those who serve, those who’ve served, and their loved ones have done to defend the freedoms we enjoy,” says Mona Dexter, vice president of military and veteran affairs at Comcast, a military spouse for over 25 years, and a military mother. “Reunions like the kind depicted in the film represent the life-long devotion veterans have toward one another. It’s our company’s privilege to play a part in how these incredible men and women stay connected through technology.”

In addition to the three-minute film, shorter versions of the story have been created for broadcast, along with a number of behind-the-scenes films and additional short films for Xfinity’s social channels.