‘The Ending of Thunder’: Monroeville filmmaker gains acclaim for PTSD-focused project

An injured soldier, obviously terrified as sounds of storms and combat roar around him, serves as the focal point for the short film “The Ending of Thunder.”

Director Donnie McDonnell’s long-standing intention was to call attention to the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition normally associated with people in the military.

“The last couple of years, this story isn’t limited to veterans. This could be anybody. This could be those little kids in Texas,” the Monroeville resident said, referencing survivors of the May 24 Uvalde shootings.

Apparently, McDonnell delivers his message effectively, through both his filmmaking and portrayal of the subject. “The Ending of Thunder” has been selected for showings at prestigious events including the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival, scheduled for June 17-19 at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks.

McDonnell started work on the project in September 2019, although he came up with the concept several years beforehand.

“The whole time, I didn’t want to take it lightly,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I handled it respectfully.”

From the opening featuring the wounded soldier, “The Ending of Thunder” unfolds as a flashback, with the memories haunting a man who appears to be willing to take a drastic measure in response. The film notes that 114,000 veterans have committed suicide since 2001.

Although the dialogue is limited to a few seconds of the soldier asking for help, McDonnell conveys a sense of anguish that has garnered critical attention: He was named best actor for August 2021 in the Gothamite monthly film awards, based in New York City.

The Gateway High School graduate’s interest in movie projects started when he was a youngster with a video camera and continued through studying with Pittsburgh Filmmakers. He also performed in local theater and eventually set up a venture called Steel Reel Studio.

While McDonnell never was in the military, his father, the late Donald Sr., served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. “The Ending of Thunder” is dedicated to his memory.

Also serving as inspiration for the project was McDonnell’s friend Shawn Jones, an Army veteran credited as military adviser, whose “platoon pretty much got wiped out” while he was serving in Afghanistan.

McDonnell cites his involvement with the 48 Hour Film Project, a yearly two-day moviemaking marathon, as introducing him to people who helped considerably with “The Ending of Thunder.” And he especially acknowledges his producer and assistant director, David Kost.

“He was huge in this, and I think he’s going to continue to be huge with my projects,” McDonnell said.

One he is planning addresses another tough topic: addiction.

As for “The Ending of Thunder,” its showing at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival is scheduled for the 2:35 p.m. time slot on June 19, following a 76-minute feature. Appropriately for McDonnell’s entry, the festival is taking place during PTSD Awareness Month.

“I want someone who sees this to think about at least one other person who might be in that situation,” he said. “And if that happens, I think I’ve accomplished something.”

“The Ending of Thunder can be viewed at vimeo.com/562445208.