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“Act of Valor” is not your everyday popcorn flick. The majority of characters in the film are portrayed by active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs, not actors, and the film’s modern day counter-terrorism plot is a fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations. The explosions are big, and gunfights feature live ammunition. In short, it‘s unlike any movie you’ll see this year, both in content and purpose.

At the event last week, co-Director Mike “Mouse” McCoy explained that he and creative partner Scott Waugh spent years developing the film and recruiting actual military professionals because Hollywood has “pretty much blown it” in terms of portraying real Navy SEALS on the big screen. Waugh sarcastically added that he would have preferred to cast real terrorists as well but “none of the mother f*ckers wanted to play.”

“This film is pretty anti-Hollywood,” said McCoy. The filmakers also said that they were mindful to be as authentic as possible, without giving away “our playbook” to enemies.