VietNamNet Bridge – “Making Peace With Vietnam” documentary made by a US producer will be presented at the Third New Beijing International Movie Week film festival, scheduled to take place between Feb. 28 and Mar. 8.
The feature-length documentary, shot in Vietnam during May and June 2007 focuses on the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and the work of a handful of Americans and Vietnamese who have dedicated their lives to healing the wounds of the War.
"I think it's the best post-Vietnam War documentary made on the effects of the war on both sides of the conflict," Kenneth Herrmann, a Vietnam war veteran, an associate professor of social work at Brockport State College was quoted by The Daily News as saying.
Kenneth Herrmann and students in Brockport State College's Vietnam study abroad programme are featured in part of the film called "Going Back," which focuses on stories of three vets who returned to Vietnam to do humanitarian work.
The film includes interviews with Herrmann and in-depth coverage of the Brockport students who are filmed saving the life of a very sick and disabled child, serving lepers at the leper colony in Da Nang Province, assisting the elderly in a nursing home, and engaging 30 disabled kids at a respite programme for Agent Orange disabled children.
The theme, says Herrmann, is one of enhanced Buddhism - making peace with yourself in order to make peace with the war.
"Herrmann's work differs from that of others in that he engages in direct aid," said Steven Emmanuel, the film's producer and a professor of philosophy at Virginia Wesleyan University. "He and his students form a personal connection with the people they serve. We tried to show this in the film."
VietNamNet/VNA | 
