BROTHER | Omeleto Documentary

An American soldier is saved by his Afghan translator. Then they become best friends.
BROTHER is used with permission from The Perennial Plate. Learn more at theperennialplate.com.
Matt Zeller was a soldier in Afghanistan when he was caught in the middle of a battle in 2008. Two Taliban fighters were approaching him, and Matt was in a perilous position as shots rained around him. He thought he was about to die.
But luckily, he was body-checked by Janis Shinwari, an Afghan translator for a U.S. Army. Janis shot the two Taliban fighters about to take down Matt, giving Matt a new lease on life and sparking an incredible cross-cultural friendship.
Emmy-nominated documentarian Daniel Klein, under the auspices of James Beard Award-winning nonfiction film series The Perennial Plate, has put together an incredible true story about what a remarkable friendship can accomplish.
The film is a dual portrait on its surface, about two men who may come from different cultures and possess different temperaments, but shared the experience of fighting side by side in a war together. Matt is from a family with a long tradition of serving in the military; Janis was dismayed at what the Taliban had done to his country, and joined the effort as a translator working with the U.S. military.
It combines both artfully composed shots, rich sound design, emotionally engaging interviews and present-day footage from their everyday lives. The juxtapositions not only capture the two men's stories with thoughtfulness, but gently interrogates what it means to be a U.S. veteran and ally, and how to show gratitude and repay their great sacrifice.
It also puts an important spotlight on the crucial work that translators do. As citizens of the war-torn countries they're fighting in, they're able to provide life-saving cultural context to the soldiers they work with.
But their work puts them in the cross-hairs of conflict -- as when the Taliban put a bounty on Janis's head. What Matt and Janis do in the face of this danger will warm hearts and spirits with generosity and inspiration, ultimately leading to the formation of No One Left Behind, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the allies who served with the U.S. in the Afghan and Iraqi wars.
BROTHER is a beautiful tribute to the bonds formed between soldiers, to what it means to save someone's life and what that creates between two people. Heartwarming and engaging, it is ultimately a tribute to service -- and to understanding how closely we are connected to one another, no matter how far apart we live.

[@angelfrankenfine]

As a vet who served in Afghanistan, it saddens me how many Americans didn't think anything of our Afghanistan pullout. Most have already forgotten. It's disgraceful what we did to our brothers that helped us. It'd be a miracle if any of them left were still alive. We gave them empty promises of "if you help us, we'll help you". We didn't..... So many men like him and we turned our backs. This brilliant administration pulled out hastily and sloppily. Never forget that.

[@drbeatzplayz491]

We can only hope that many of them got out. I have two terps that I would move mountains to see again. This has been eating me up since we pulled out. These men and women put their lives and the lives of their family on the line for our safety. I pray that they are safe!!

[@kalaln323]

Yeah… Biden ministry has made a huge mistake.

[@GhostmanNtech]

Thank you for your service and sharing this valuable info it will be passed ...

[@reme001]

We MUST help those people who risked their lives to help our soldiers.

[@suhanisookoo2833]

Watching this in August 2021, when the US pulled out of Afghanistan, abandoning so many people that assisted us. And the Taliban is now in full control of the country. It's so profound to watch this

[@rncine]

I am still appalled by a certain government administration for doing this to these innocent people. I pray that Afghans get peace and the help they need in 2024 when we elect our given president.

[@annereynolds66]

The US administration at the time of our pull out , gave control to the taliban before we even pulled away . Shame on the administration for letting 13 of our military die , plus all innocent that helped non Afghanistans

[@chillwill5080]

The USA gave Afghanistan almost 20 years of protection, blood, sweat and wealth to provide them the means to stand on their own. When the time came, they threw down their arms and fled from a ragtag terrorist cabal. You place blame on the wrong people. Defend your blood and soil or lose it, that is the history of life on earth.

[@TubaAmiri]

⁠@@rncinemy family is still stuck in there I can’t sleep depression anxiety 😢

[@Bonerboy205]

@@rncinerump ordered the withdrawal of Afghanistan in February 2020 to be completed by may 1st 2021. Luckily biden delayed the withdrawal to august in order to better prepare. Educate yourself pleeeeeeze

[@Bambisgf77]

“How old do you think I am?” KID- “29” “Ohh God bless you” This cracked me up so much 😂😂 Wonderful short film.

[@jennycheng3245]

Such a sweet story of two people who saved each other’s lives & became best friends.

[@likal1]

This film was so so beautifully done! Matt and Janis' story is immensely inspiring and really touched my heart. May God continue to protect them and allow them to help others in need.

[@juliasilverstone2626]

Oh god, in the end I broke down crying... I'm still crying... his TRUE words hit me hard... but the children... the children's looks, how they have looked... made me collapse...WOW! Sorry for my englisch, i´m from Germany

[@gregoryfuzi4745]

Your English is better than mine.

[@juliasilverstone2626]

@@gregoryfuzi4745 In the end it doesn't matter.. we understood each other and that COUNTS ❤☯

[@joniseptimo4553]

These are the kind of people that our government should help to come to U.S and get benefits from the government. They helped and saved our troops

[@hookedonfishing2095]

ill be honest, im really at a low point in my life. watching these videos late nights makes my heart smile.

[@davis_8082]

i wish nothing more and nothing less to you 4 people except inner peace and love. I dont know you and you dont know me but i love you.

[@arianamateo5089]

Just came across your comment. Hopefully you are better now or slowly pushing positiveness in your life. I don't know you but I hope I become your friend at least to cover the void. Stay blessed

[@Bambisgf77]

It’s been a month since you posted this, I just wanted to check on you. I pray things have improved for you. ❤Remember nothing lasts forever, just keep going, one morning at a time, one foot in front of the other.

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

Hang in there brother! These hard times will pass and a new chapter in your life will help your heart smile often! ❤

[@terintiaflavius3349]

Wishing you peace. Remember this is only a season

[@noufohere1663]

The real brotherhood! ❤️

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

OMG what incredible stories! The bonds these individuals formed. The fact that this soldier can trace his ancestral military service back to the Civil War! ❤ True Patriots! ❤ 🇺🇸🇦🇫

[@reme001]

Wow. The uniforms are in perfect condition. What a memento from years past.

[@ermo5623]

I watch omeleto films all the time & I feel like this is one of the most profound & important stories I have ever watched. I hope it gets so many more views. These 2 soldiers are incredibly brave & I truly admire what Janice (spelling?) and others like him have risked for our country. I’m also angry & embarrassed that America didn’t do what they promised to keep his family safe. They had to go to the media with their story in order to have refuge for him & that is just so disappointing. I hope these men have happy lives & I Really appreciate their service.

[@Jessica-qi9js]

I feel Matt has been the spokesperson for the Afghanistan brothers and sisters that helped the Americans… God bless him. If there were more like him …that were as passionate, maybe we could have saved many more lives before the Taliban took control. It didnt have to be this way…So sad 😞

[@AshLoRo]

The US should have kept their promise. Shame on the Government for leaving so many behind to die a gruesome painful death, and every member of the family would be killed too. Let's not forget that.

[@emmanueltorrillo9542]

The introduction gave me a teary eyed, no, actually tears fell down my cheek. 😭

[@PM_Nunya_Bidness]

I know! I'm not crying...your crying!

[@marieneu264]

This is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. I feel like this needs to be shared a lot more and it should definitely have more views.

[@popcornkimchi9010]

Most brothers in this world are not blood-related that's a fact

[@lold6130]

Sweet kids! Hope the whole family have wonderful lives.

[@johanb8041]

Thank you, as a Candian I salute the American military, defending their homes and the sacrifice they have made since a hundred years ago. (maybe longer I don't know) These translators are hereos they have given so much and deserve safety as any good human does, as an optimist I hope for peace and safety in the middle east but as a realist ths isn't the case. This was a beautifully powerful documentary, and I hope more see it. Thank you Omeleto Documentary for showcasing such amazing documenatries.

[@pervertedbananaa.k.a.nanne9347]

Let the Taliban keep Afghanistan but let the people who don't wanna live under their dictatorship leave. Then they can have their city n anyone who wants to stay can stay. There are still many people who want to leave Afghanistan n we need to get those poor people out.

[@80bbygrl]

I know I've commented on this before, but I love at the very end how you can just tell that they are family no matter what.

[@jamespowell5602]

I watched this on Tuesday August 17, 2021, as the Taliban took over Afghanistan. This story was incredible. I’m a little teary eyed now. I must find a way I can help financially some of the Afghans who make it out! Thank you Matt & Janis for your service. I’m so happy for his family who will enjoy a better life! 😊👍🏽

[@altanfantwin]

The Nazarene fund

[@metaldigger]

What a great heart @james

[@anthonyislas5414]

Use whatever skills you have my friend, that’s really the key. Believe me, if I had the power I’d hire the best mercenaries there are to protect that airport their evacuating from and make sure every last one of our Afghan allies are evacuated. You might be able to help them, no matter what you have to offer, and I hope you do. God bless you.🇺🇸

[@dungle-wh9td]

Matt is an amazing person, you guys 2 wonderful human beings met each other. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@balkh_555leo4]

OMG, the children are so cute!

[@StyxByrd]

I hope you are still out there Moe. I think of you often and I love you brother...

[@mieaab]

👍👍 U still kept those heritage.. Unless and until u been with people besides yours, only u appreciate other cultures and the true meaning of trust and friendship

[@SuperZalwango]

I watched am movie, Covenant and each of these interpreters' stories are so breathtaking

[@PeterJPickles]

Janis, you are a legend, make's me so mad knowing what the USA and my country Britain did by abandoning some of our fellow fighters. We should have done all to get them out, shameful.

[@yosiska]

What a Hero Story!

[@nataliemeenakshithegreat7780]

Now this gives me a reason to cry I just live these brotherhood stories

[@dorayantz3649]

What an inspiring story. Blessings to them both. 🙏❤

[@faaututavale5287]

Thank you for this beautiful story, continue prayers, for all our men and women serving and protecting our Country 🙏🙏🙏

[@TheTomyossarian]

God bless you and your family, Janis.

[@kelvint.youngkende4463]

When someone saves your life, there’s something always inside of you constantly reminding you of doing something right to help them, congratulations brothers ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@vbnurs]

Thank you both for your service. Forever grateful💜💯🌹

[@estefuchs8564]

What a beautiful relationship. ❤

[@greengod636rr8]

Same thing happens to me to when I saw my best friend die in front of me during when I was over seas.

[@annavete5533]

Such a beautiful friendship God Bless you all ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@angierazmowar8108]

What amazing story,

[@SHOGUNS85]

Those uniforms are awesome! Definitely treasures.

[@kazarmageddon]

I`m not crying - you are!

[@edburns6929]

i have evil days and good days. when i wakeup, i dont decide, i just roll with it. but when i watch videos like these: showcasing the better side of humanity, the side we truly want people to see and experience, there is this catharsis, where I do feel the good side of me coming to the surface. I want to be better and do better but the fight is so hard.

[@aovai15]

Thank you Janis and Matt 😢😢🙏🙏

[@user-cs3xz6qf8q]

That uniform collection 👌🏼

[@DoesYourMommaKnow]

Omletto=Quality

[@toxicavenger7073]

There are hundreds of interpretors who need to get out of Afghanistan and cant because we left them there after we used them for what we needed them for it's sick but atleast

[@kitsmith806]

Interesting story, I wish our country would have rescued all those translators that helped😢By the way what happened to this man's wife, did she survive,?

[@joetraveler5609]

They made a movie " The covenant" about this isnt?

[@ltte_slayer.0]

Yes

[@shannonscagel8323]

God works in .mysterious ways

[@lousassoul6038]

that was awesome...why does it have so few views

[@lamarwilson9505]

The jake gyllanhall movie about this

[@jimbob465]

She is an afghan Muslim, probably not into showing her face/being on camera

[@DMA1392]

Wow.

[@VeronaFamilyVlogs]

Now they bringing there Afghan Employee in Philippines.because they cannot bring it in.😅

[@craig5923]

I’m watching this May 2023 and this pisses me seeing our country allow our borders to be open and ALLOWING TALIBAN to enter through Mexico. They deserve better for everything they did FOR US AND THEIR HOME COUNTRY.

[@vickythefist7062]

That food looks amazing

[@ohm3142]

Wow 🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@daveboon5992]

❤️❤️

[@s3rsi17]

Watch the movie "The Covenant" . A very touching movie of this two .

[@57113]

I don't think we should rely on a fictitious movie, as factual information as to what the US administration and the the hierarchy officials in the US military didn't do for their Afghan interpreters, making promise to get them out , yet negating on their promises. The taliban wiped them out and their entire families. Many, many are in hiding and fear for their lives. Just another example of inhumanity of the US government and their quick & poorly planned withdrawal from Afghanistan. Reminds me of Siagon. Again it came down to the individual soldiers working alone or together to get people out, although most were left behind to face imminent death for their services to the american soldiers 18:19 and officials. Shame on America 🇺🇸. My ❤ goes out those Afghan's who served and left behind. 😢

[@xenon6947]

A colleague of Mine whose Father was Major in Pakistan Army used to train Afghan Taliban’s new recruits in Charsadda. He used to tell how pak Army gave shelter and training to Taliban when NATO was fighting in Afghanistan. He distributed sweets when NATO left Afghanistan. He said Pakistan defeated Soviets with American help and defeated Americans with American help.

[@MamaMama-sv3b]

True because Pakistan have to coexist with Afghanistan America came and go

[@ETS186]

12:26 "where's his wife?" comments. Maybe she doesn't like cameras?

[@Bambisgf77]

She is there, and there may be many reasons she chooses not to appear in the film. Number one is her right to privacy, that’s an American right.

[@sophieandwayne]

Didn’t they do a film about this?

[@KillaKali777]

The Covenant made in 2023

[@KillaKali777]

The Covenant

[@treadlightly6427]

This is what humanity is all about, that is an pefect examply of a man not only fighting for his family's freedom but fighting for his country. Beautiful fanily and a beautiful relationship you two have made. God bless!

[@lindalawson7600]

Republicans And Democrats have totally dropped the ball on these people that helped us. Absolutely disgusting.

[@codecaine]

[@pervertedbananaa.k.a.nanne9347]

Where is Janice's wife?

[@thezmanchar]

Where is his wife? Or family ?

[@Bambisgf77]

His wife is there with him but chooses not to appear in the film. The children seen are his children, his family.

[@1911Earthling]

These folks obviously would make great citizens. Better citizens then the law breakers who jump our borders and flop in NYC.

[@sikandar9381]

AFHGHNISTAN IS NOW THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD WHEN THIS PEOPLE LEFT.

[@B.A.B.G.]

Does the interpreter have a wife?

[@josephchatman1273]

Why is he eating with a fork snd knife??

[@Bambisgf77]

Did you want him to eat with is hands?

[@edburns6929]

@@Bambisgf77 that's how u eat the food culturally. just like india, or some african nations. nothin wrong with eating with your hands.

[@acegamer9231]

Getting everyone to America is not the solution, see their children more than 4 for each, this country can't hold this much population.

[@Bambisgf77]

There are not THAT many translators. These are the people we should accept & help. They have already done far more for the US than so many natural born citizens who burn the flag & complain. 😢