Sand Castle

Matt Ocre (Nicholas Hoult) has made a stunningly ill-timed decision in SAND CASTLE. Assured that enlisting in the Army will eventually provide him with a college education, Ocre joins up. The month, July. The year, 2001. In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, however, the United States no longer retains a "peacetime" army, and Matt Ocre finds himself a solider at war. Even a purposeful accident -- he smashes his own arm with a car door -- doesn't prevent his deployment. Once in Iraq, Matt's small unit is sent to repair a pumping station damaged by the fighting. The station is the only source of water for an isolated village. Its people are desperate. Understaffed, the army calls upon the villagers to help with the almost-impossible task. No one answers the call -- they're afraid for their lives. Any help given to the Americans will be seen as aiding the enemy. The young soldiers do their best, but it isn't nearly enough. It's only when a courageous teacher assembles a group of scared but willing townspeople that real progress begins. But, as the saying goes, "no good deed goes unpunished." The enemy attacks... first their own people, then a battle in earnest with the American troops.