CNN Films has acquired the documentary 'Why We Dream,' which chronicles World War II veterans returning to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Directed by Meredith Danluck, the film will air on CNN this spring. It highlights the fading memories of the Greatest Generation and their lasting impact on American culture.
CNN Films announced the acquisition of 'Why We Dream,' a feature documentary directed by Meredith Danluck. The film documents the Normandy Legacy Flight program, which transported surviving World War II veterans back to the coast of France in 2024 to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Premiering in June 2024 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the movie captures the veterans' memories, their service, and the diminishing number of those who lived through the war.
The documentary interweaves footage from the 2024 D-Day commemorations in Normandy with interviews of the veterans and their families, alongside archival material. It also explores how the experiences of World War II, the Holocaust, and the fight against fascism in Europe influenced American culture from the late 1940s onward.
Produced by Delta Air Lines' Window Seat Studios and Vice Media's Pulse Films, the film features producers Drake Springer from Window Seat, and Casey Engelhardt and Matthew Shattuck from Pulse Films. The score is composed by Christian Lundberg and Hans Zimmer, with UTA handling the sale to CNN Films.
Amy Entelis, executive VP of talent for CNN Originals and creative development for CNN Worldwide, praised the film: "‘Why We Dream’ is a deeply moving reflection on sacrifice, memory and the legacy of the Greatest Generation. Meredith Danluck has created an intimate and powerful film that aligns perfectly with CNN Films’ mission to tell stories that illuminate our shared history, particularly as America approaches its 250th anniversary."
Director Meredith Danluck expressed enthusiasm: "I am beyond excited to share this film, which feels both timeless and urgent. We couldn’t have found a better partner than CNN Films, where emotional storytelling and collective history form the backbone of their incredible roster."
Drake Springer, head of Window Seat Studios, emphasized the film's purpose: "This film is about responsibility — what it means to carry memories forward when the people who lived them are nearly gone. At Delta, supporting veterans and their families is a core value... Partnering with CNN Films helps ensure these stories are carried forward to audiences around the world and across generations."
The acquisition aligns with broader trends of major companies funding documentary projects through specialized content units, ensuring such narratives reach wide audiences.