Part of the real security team that helped defend the American Diplomatic compound in Benghazi talked to reporters about the making of the film based on their experience.

Michael Bay’s new film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, tells the real story of a security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012. The film is based off the New York Times bestselling book of the same name and focuses on the men who risked everything to save the lives of 36 other fellow Americans. 

Three of the six members who were there on the day of the attacks, Kris ‘Tanto’ Paronto, Mark ‘Oz’ Geist and John ‘Tig’ Tiegen,  talked about the filmmaking process and why it was important to them for this movie to be made. 

They were very involved in the writing of the book, so it was important for the filmmakers that they were involved with the making of the movie. They were on set for many of the film’s pivotal moments, helped plan the designs of the sets and worked one-on-one with the actors to make it as realistic as possible.

The actors were trained by SEALs so they could accurately portray the combat scenes, but the military security team met with the actors to get all of the personal things down pat. The three members of the security team all complimented the actors’ jobs saying that they would Skype multiple times a week, meet up to go over things and even hangout outside of the shoot.

“They did a great job respecting our story and not disrespecting our talents or the military. The movie does a great job with that as well,” Paronto said. “It’s not just the war part. It’s about seeing who these people are, they are not just mercenaries. These guys have families, they are real people.”

Along with all of the actors, the security team also worked closely with director, Michael Bay. Bay is known for his over-the-top action films (Transformers, Bad Boys, Armageddon) and the men knew that going in. Even though a lot of the action might seem excessive, the three agreed that Bay did a good job of portraying their story with accuracy.

“He did a fantastic job getting the spirit down of what we went through and he did not over do it,” Paronto said. “For this movie there isn’t always sunshine, there’s explosions, body parts, a lot of fire and explosions that night and we lost our friends because of it.”

Because of that night and all of the political controversy surrounding it, the three men said that the book and the movie helped them cope with the situation. It helps them to know that the real truth is being put out their instead of the political debate misrepresenting their story.

“It’s been therapeutic because I need to get those demons out that need to get out every once in a while,” Paronto said.

They are hoping that the movie brings light to the situation and can set some of the facts straight. Ultimately though, they are hoping that audiences realize the sacrifices that military men and women make every day in order to protect the freedom of this country.

“What I hope audiences take away from it is that there is people out there every day serving this country and putting their lives out on the line. They are sacrificing time away from their families,” Geist said. “There are private security contractors, diplomatic security personnel, and foreign service officers and people like that doing things to make this country safe. I hope this movie brings awareness and respect to those people and what they go through.”

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi opens everywhere Jan. 15 and is rated R for strong combat violence throughout, bloody images, and language.