Category: Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam

Operation Babylift: Filmmaker Wins Hearts, Minds and Awards

Thank you to Cherri Gann at SMU Magazine for a wonderful article on ATG President Tammy Nguyen Lee and her current project Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. You can read the article on the SMU Magazine website here.

Operation Babylift: Filmmaker Wins Hearts, Minds and Awards

As an infant in her mother’s arms, Tammy Nguyen Lee ’00 was carried out of war-torn Vietnam in 1978. Three years earlier, before the fall of Saigon, thousands of children escaped South Vietnam through Operation Babylift. Nguyen Lee, a filmmaker, didn’t draw parallels between the two events until she heard the story of American nurse Mary Nguyen.

Shortly after graduating from SMU, the cinema major met the nurse who recounted taking part in Operation Babylift, a U.S. military evacuation of more than 2,500 Vietnamese orphans. The story struck a personal chord with Nguyen Lee, who had occasionally wrestled with her own experiences as a refugee growing up in the Dallas suburb of Garland, Texas.

Nguyen.jpgTammy Nguyen Lee at filmAsiafest in September.

“I related to this story as an Asian American who felt torn between two cultures, looking a certain way, being treated differently and trying to fit in,” she says. “However, the need for acceptance and belonging is something we all feel.”

While earning an M.F.A. from UCLA in 2004, she received a grant from the UCLA Mickey Dude Fellowship to create a film of her choice. She quickly started work as producer, director and writer of Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, which became a nearly five-year labor of love. The 72-minute documentary looks at the humanitarian effort and its aftermath through the eyes of participants: airlift volunteers, adoptive parents and the Vietnamese adoptees.

The film premiered at the Vietnamese International Film Festival in April and won the coveted Audience Choice Award. In September, the Crow Collection of Art’s inaugural filmAsiafest hosted the first North Texas screening of the documentary at the Dallas Museum of Art to a packed auditorium of more than 300 guests.

In 2006 Nguyen Lee founded Against The Grain Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to promote Asian-American cultural awareness and to raise funds for Vietnamese orphanages.

Nguyen Lee juggles her nonprofit venture with a demanding, full-time position as director of development and distribution at Dallas-based AMS Pictures.

She feels fortunate that her SMU professors – including Rick Worland, Tom Bywaters and Kevin Heffernan – were so generous with their time and encouragement while she was a student. “I’ve always been an ‘out there’ kind of thinker; they just let me be free to be a filmmaker. It was amazing to have that support,” Nguyen Lee says.

– Cherri Gann

The Reel Deal featuring OPERATION BABYLIFT

http://www.westendword.com/NC/0/1305.html

(by Stacey Rynders – November 11, 2009)

The St. Louis International Film Festival is a cultural event to be coveted in the St. Louis metro region. In its 18th year, SLIFF will feature more than 250 films and documentaries from more than 40 countries from Nov. 12 through 22.

As with many film festivals, SLIFF continues to build its prestige and typically brings some Hollywood indie films to the St. Louis market, such as the filmed-in-St. Louis George Clooney picture Up In The Air, the screening of which is already sold out.

But it is the diversity of strong stories, myriad perspectives and range of cinematic styles produced by the less glamorous independent filmmakers, working with much smaller budgets, that are truly the crème de la crème of this festival and a reason to block out dates each November to catch as many film screenings as possible from the jam-packed SLIFF schedule.

It’s impossible to spotlight all of the great entries, but a small preview of this year’s notables includes work from a personal favorite, documentary writer/director Michael Steinberg, who is also director of the Webster Film Series and the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. In 2009, Steinberg makes both his third and fourth SLIFF appearances on two films he co-directed with Thomas Crone, a talented St. Louis journalist prone to bringing cult-favorite character features and news to the region.

Both documentaries, the feature-length Old Dog, New Trick and the short Mama’s Pride, were inspired by 1970s rock artists from St. Louis that received their break during KSHE 95’s “heyday of freeform FM radio.”

“Thomas and I started making one film that was a catchall about the bands that came out of St. Louis in the 1970s,” Steinberg said. “But it wasn’t working. Then we found Steve Scorfina.”

Old Dog, New Trick, which airs Nov. 20 at the Tivoli, is a “fascinating character-driven documentary and interesting story” about Scorfina. Steinberg said. One of the founding members of Pavlov’s Dog and REO Speedwagon, Scorfina has now returned to his R&B roots, playing blues-rock while also dealing antiques.

“Mama’s Pride has a lot of local appeal and still has a life as a band; they are a great band to hear live,” Steinberg said about the accompanying short documentary based on the same 1970s, KSHE rock experience as Old Dog, New Trick. The band Mama’s Pride is still together and playing music.

The screening of Old Dog, New Trick will be followed by a Steve Scorfina and Danny Liston (of Mama’s Pride) concert in the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar Blvd.

Steinberg will also make a personal appearance to interview Joe Berlinger, director of Crude, a cinema vérité documentary about the controversial lawsuit between an Ecuadorian village and oil goliath Chevron. Without the audacity of a Michael Moore documentary, Berlinger takes this gripping underdog story about 30,000 indigenous and colonial rainforest dwellers from Ecuador and chronicles their legal battle with the Chevron powerhouse.

Without any of his own commentary, Berlinger talks to Chevron spokespeople while following the Ecuadorian trial and talking to the victims suffering from the effects of environmental negligence on the part of big oil. The end result is compelling.

Crude, which premiered at Sundance, has earned more than a dozen film-festival honors since its debut. At SLIFF, Berlinger will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Documentary. Crude plays Nov. 15 at the Tivoli and is followed by a question-and-answer segment with Berlinger.

Another popular film in the film festival circuit is Snow (Snijeg). Part of the Bosnian Cinematic Program at SLIFF, Snow is one of two feature films and two documentaries to be spotlighted during the festival. Additionally, director Faruk Sabanovic will hold a free discussion about his films at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Snow is a beautiful portrait of the surviving Muslim women and orphaned children in a remote Slavno village following the war. At the core of this group, quiet and dedicated Alma beckons her strength to unite the group and give them a vision of a more prosperous future. This quiet, inspiring film tugs on the heartstrings without being sappy and soothes with gentle imagery and smooth frame-by-frame movement.

Another war-inspired film, the documentary Operation Babylift, focuses on an orphan “rescue” of more than 2,000 children at the close of the Vietnam War. Now, on the 35th anniversary of the event, director Tammy Nguyen Lee talks to the children who were brought to the United States, adoptive parents and the people who fought to bring these children to America.

“Although this project started off with one vision, we listened and addressed a need in the adoptee community to be heard,” said Lee, who spent five years producing the documentary. “We allowed their stories to unfold, to change, and that changed us. From the overwhelming response, I think we achieved something really special that educates, inspires and helps bring people together.”

Operation Babylift premiered at the Vietnamese International Film Festival, winning the Audience Choice Award. It has gone on with much acclaim to numerous other film festivals and has been greeted with similar enthusiasm.

It is stories like Operation Babylift that bring true gusto to the annual SLIFF. The SLIFF experience is to be measured in degrees of like; there are no bad stories here.

• For a full schedule of events and film screenings, and additional information concerning ticket prices and special events, visit www.CinemaStLouis.org.

Vancouver Asian Film Festival Features Captivating Storytelling

Vancouver Asian Film Festival features captivating story telling | Kelowna.com.

(excerpt)

VANCOUVER –

As the opening film this evening at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Children of Invention is an example of the changes Asian films have undergone since the festival began 13 years ago according to founder Barbara Lee.

She said when the festival began, feature films tended to be about the cultural identity crisis experienced by Asians who grew up in North America. At home, they were raised by parents who believed traditional ways should rule. Once they stepped outside, they walked into a vibrant pop cultural world where few, if any, of those traditional values had much legitimacy. As a result, Asians often felt like they were strangers in their own land.

Lee said as the years have gone by, the festival has seen fewer and fewer of those kinds of identity films on the program.

“I think we kind of got over that,” she said. “Now it’s more about: This is who I am: I’m Canadian and this is my take on it.’ It’s not so much about an identity crisis and more about saying This is how it is and listen to my story. ‘”

Lee said both Asians and non-Asians sometimes still complain that the films in an Asian film festival aren’t in Asian languages. But VAFF isn’t about showing films from Asia. VAFF focusses on showing films made by Asians living in North America where English is the dominant language.

Lee said while looking Asian equates with being a foreigner to some people, the festival is trying to overcome that stereotype by showing Asians as part of the country’s cultural landscape. The 42 films have been chosen because they tell human stories that cross cultural boundaries.

“Our stories are universal but maybe have a little bit of an Asian perspective because culturally that’s where our parents are from,” she said.

More hot picks from the festival:

Operation Babylift: the Lost Children of Vietnam: After the United States pulled out of Vietnam in 1972, close to 2,500 orphans were left behind in the country. Airlifted out, they faced enormous prejudice growing up in the United States because of the unpopularity of the war. Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

kevingriffin@vancouversun.com

OPERATION BABYLIFT to Screen at the St. Louis International Film Festival

SLIFF-2009-4x6-postcard

Dallas, TX – On Saturday, November 21st, Dallas based non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions is honored to present Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at its Missouri premiere during the 18th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF). The award-winning documentary described as “Amazing…compelling and hard hitting,” by Bolsavik.com screens at 5:00 p.m. at the Landmark Tivoli Theatre located at 6350 Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis, Missouri. Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee, as well as several members of the cast and crew, will be in attendance for the Q&A.

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country from the impending threat of the Communist regime. These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis. Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today.

Chris Clark, Artistic Director for St. Louis International Film Festival, says, “The multitude of St. Louis connections to this wonderful and poignant film make it a natural fit with this year’s SLIFF programming. There was no way we would have not shown Operation Babylift in the festival!”

Several interviewees featured in the film are St. Louis residents and will be present at the screening.  Adoptee Jim Zimmerly, a survivor of the C5-A Galaxy crash says, “I feel so privileged to be part of this project and a piece of history, and to be able to present the story of all the Vietnamese adoptees to my hometown of St. Louis is really special.” Adoptee Dan Bischoff, also a crash survivor who is returning from teaching in Rwanda says, “I’m very excited to be part of this project because I believe any education to this often over-looked aspect of the Vietnam War is great. I sometimes struggle finding the right words to describe the events of my adoption, and media like this will only assist that and bring greater understanding across a wider audience.”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a MFA graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, adds, “This has been a very full and exciting season of festival screenings for us. We’re honored to be included in SLIFF’s great line-up of films. It’s so symbolic and appropriate to end the year in St. Louis, where there are so many ties to Operation Babylift.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee is a first generation Vietnamese American who fled Saigon as refugees with her mother more than 30 years ago. Lee founded ATG Against the Grain Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to promote Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages. This is her feature documentary directorial debut. For more information please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com. Ticket and screening information is available at www.cinemastlouis.org.

OPERATION BABYLIFT Makes Canadian Premiere

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Award-winning Documentary Screens at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival

Dallas, Tx – On Sunday, November 8th , Dallas based non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions is proud to present Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at its Canadian premiere during the 13th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF).  The award-winning documentary that was nearly five years in the making is described as “amazing…compelling and hard hitting” by Bolsavik.com and screens at 1:30 p.m. at Cinemark Tinseltown located at 88 West Pender in Vancouver, BC. Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee will be in attendance for the Q&A.

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country from the impending threat of the Communist regime.  These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis.  Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today.

Yooksik Oum, Executive Programming Coordinator for the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, says “[Operation Babylift is] a documentary that’s intense, emotional, and uplifting. It seemed only fitting that we had to share this with our audiences at VAFF.”

Adoptee and current Canadian resident Bert Ballard says, “Even though Operation Babylift was primarily a United States based event, there are many throughout the world who were and who continue to be affected by it. I am excited for the international and Canadian premiere of the film, and I hope it broadens awareness of the experience of all of us who were a part of Operation Babylift, as volunteers, activists, and most importantly the orphans and adoptees, many of who grew up in Canada. This is a truly international film with universal appeal for all! I am honored to be a part of the project.”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a MFA graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, adds, “This is our first time screening to Canadian audiences, and we are excited and anxious to share this inspiring and universal story that is relevant to a diversity of people on so many levels.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee is a first generation Vietnamese American who fled Saigon as refugees with her mother more than 30 years ago.  Lee founded ATG Against the Grain Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to promote Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages.  This is her feature documentary directorial debut. For more information please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com. Tickets and show times to the screening are available to VAFF members at www.vaff.org.

The Audience Speaks

OB B&WWhat an honor to receive such great reviews from our Operation Babylift screenings.

Read what the audience has to say:

“Amazing…compelling and hard hitting. ”
— Hao-Nhien Q Vu, Publisher/Editor of Bolsavik.com, Irvine, CA

“An important documentary that investigates Operation Babylift from a humanistic perspective. ”
— Lan Duong, UC Irvine

“A remarkable film…an engrossing historical document…a riveting story that spoke to me as an Asian American.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                    — Dr. Sam Lam

“Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam depicts the incredible journeys of the adoptees.  Their stories have become a part of the American history.  From a humanistic perspective, director Tammy Nguyen Lee explores the depth the feelings of being displaced and discriminated as well as love and triumph of the “lost children.” From the audience’s reactions at the premiere at the Vietnamese International Film Festival (ViFF) 2009, I was not surprised when the documentary won the Audience Choice Award.”
–Ysa Le, Executive Director, Vietnamese International Film Festival

“The documentary is a moving and inspirational film that we are excited to be screening to a Philadelphia audience.”
— Joe Kim, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

“Heart-wrenching and heart-warming, Operation Babylift shares the stories of a unique group of Asian American adoptees who illuminate our common humanity. I was moved to tears watching it, and even moreso when I saw the film’s impact on audiences who were relating their own experiences to what they were seeing on screen. A must see for anyone touched by adoption or who cares about the Asian American community and our shared human connections. Thanks for making this film with the power to bring so many people together!”
— Gayle Isa, Executive Director, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, PA

“Operation Babylift reveals the human consequences of conflict and the sometimes tragic choices forced upon families and individuals. Through incisive interviews and archival footage, the history of this airlift and its aftermath are presented in complex, rich detail. The DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival is proud to present this little known story of survival and hope.”
Tad Doyle, Director of Programming for DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival

“Operation Babylift reveals a story of the Vietnam War that many are unaware of, dealing with the most precious and tiniest victims – the children. The San Diego Asian Film Festival seeks to share such untold stories, as we believe sharing these stories of war, history, and ultimately – hope – helps us understand more about the world and about each other.”
— Lee Ann Kim, Executive Director of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation

“[Operation Babylift is] a documentary that’s intense, emotional, and uplifting. It seemed only fitting that we had to share this with our audiences at VAFF.”
— Yoosik Oum, Executive Programming Coordinator of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival

“The multitude of St. Louis connections to this wonderful and poignant film make it a natural fit with this year’s SLIFF programming. There was no way we would have not shown Operation Babylift in the festival!”
— Chris Clark, Artistic Director, St. Louis International Film Festival

“As an adoptee, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam is a story that resonates deep within my soul. It’s an historical and honorable piece of American and world history. The public will not only enjoy this amazing film, but be enlightened by a story they may not be acquainted with. This is a film you don’t want to miss!”
— Lyly Koenig, Adoptee, Miami, FL

“Tammy [Nguyen] Lee has done an exceptional job documenting this part of history that many many people were unaware of. Watching this documentary brought back emotions and memories of a time that I almost forgot. Growing up, I just didn’t have a good understanding or maturity to acknowledge my past. This documentary brought back vivid memories of my life in Vietnam, living at the orphanage and then the finality of leaving and transiting to the states on a PAN AM Flight that was crowded with children and babies. The film really helped me to reconnect with my past. This is a truly positive experience for me, and it is a great honor to be a part of this history.”                 –
– Lieutenant Commander Mark Slavik, Adoptee, Seattle, WA

“I’m very excited to be part of this project because I believe any education to this often over-looked aspect of the Vietnam War is great! I sometimes struggle finding the right words to describe the events of my adoption, and media like this will only assist that and bring greater understanding across a wider audience.”
— Dan Bischoff, Adoptee, St. Louis, MO

“Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam made me feel tremendously proud to be part of one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in American history. As a member of this small group of individuals, so precious and innocent, I am forever thankful for all those individuals who risked their lives so that I could have a one. While we faced many challenges in our lives and continue to struggle with new ones, we must cherish in the simple fact that we are alive today and we can have an impact in this world. This film reminds us all that as human beings we have the remarkable capacity to love one another, care for one another and help one another…even those we don’t even know. Thank you to Tammy and her entire production team for telling our story!”
— Sarah Lawrence, Adoptee, Philadelphia, PA

“The day Carol became our daughter at JFK airport was the most moving experience in our life, for her mother and I, as she wasn’t able to have children. We were truly blessed that God sent us this beautiful girl from out of the midst of turmoil. We are happy that she is seeking to connect with her heritage. Your film was very moving and it provided a persepective on how these 2500 young people have grown into thoughtful and loving adults.”
— William R. Schuler, Jr., Adoptee Parent, Philadelphia, PA

“Being a mentor for two young Vietnamese adoptees, I was very excited for the screening of Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. The movie goes beyond my expectation and engages all audiences to every story, every picture, and every emotion. From the adoptees in the movie to the audiences and the producer, Tammy, we all share the tears of sympathy. The movie is inspirational and heart-melting. It is also a motivation for me to give back more to the Vietnamese community, especially to the orphans and adoptees. I would like to thank Tammy and the entire production team for their amazing work and wish you all the best at bringing your message across the country and the world.”
— Chi Nguyen, Vice President of ICON, Philadelphia, PA

“It is such a powerful film – about courage, hope, and love amidst a war that tore so many apart in the US and Vietnam.  And yet, this powerful film showed that giving someone life and love is sometimes not enough to fulfill a person.  Searching for one’s roots and identity is a universal story that many can relate to. But showing the bravery of a few well-meaning people is a story that encourages all of us not to be afraid of taking action that can positively impact others. Thank you, Tammy, for bringing this story to the screen.  I applaud not only the quality of your OPERATION BABYLIFT, but also your efforts to use the film  as a tool to continue to help others.”
— Cynthia Salzman Mondell, award-winning documentary filmmaker of THE MONSTER AMONG US and A FAIR TO REMEMBER, Dallas, TX

To find out more about and read more comments on the film, please visit the Babylift website.

Phỏng vấn đạo diễn Tammy Nguyen Lee về phim “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam”

medium_A1_TammyNguyenLee.jpgPhim “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam” hiện đang được chiếu tại các đại hội điện ảnh trên toàn nước Mỹ.

Sau nhiều buổi chiếu ở miền Ðông và Texas, cuốn phim trở lại miền Nam California, sẽ chiếu tại Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Á Châu San Diego, suất chiếu 2PM ngày 24 Tháng Mười.

Phim “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam” ra mắt lần đầu tại Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Việt Nam Quốc Tế (ViFF) năm nay, chiếu tại Bowers Museum ở Santa Ana, và đoạt giải Khán Giả Bình Chọn.

Cuốn phim tài liệu đi theo cuộc đời những người, nay đã lớn, nhưng 35 năm trước đây là các em nhỏ mồ côi được Hoa Kỳ không vận bốc ra khỏi Việt Nam trong những ngày cuối cùng của cuộc chiến.

Ðạo diễn Tammy Nguyen Lee, một cựu Hoa Hậu Mỹ Gốc Á Texas 1999, tốt nghiệp cử nhân điện ảnh đại học Southern Methodist University, và cao học sản xuất điện ảnh tại UCLA.

Cô Tammy Nguyen Lee trả lời phỏng vấn báo Người Việt dưới đây.

NV: Xin cô tóm tắt phim Operation Babylift.

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Cuốn phim “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam” kể lại chiến dịch lịch sử của Hoa Kỳ, mà cũng từng gây tranh cãi, cho cầu không vận bốc hơn 2,500 trẻ em mồ côi ra khỏi Việt Nam và đưa đến Mỹ. Gần 35 năm sau nhìn lại, câu chuyện được kể lại qua ký ức và quan điểm của những người tình nguyện trong cô nhi viện và trong chiến dịch Babylift, cùng với các trẻ mồ côi cũ nay đã lớn, tức là những người “adoptees,” để chia sẻ cuộc hành trình phức tạp của họ khi họ lớn lên tại đất nước này.

Ðiều phức tạp này bao gồm cả cuộc tìm kiếm khó khắn về bản sắc, về một nơi đi về, và về một cộng đồng. Bộ phim cũng tìm hiểu về việc nhận con nuôi quốc tế hiện nay, thông qua khó khăn của một cặp vợ chồng Babylift khi họ cố gắng để nhận con nuôi từ Việt Nam.

NV: Thông điệp của bộ phim này là gì?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Chủ đề của cuốn phim là một điều tất cả chúng ta cùng chia sẻ: đi tìm bản sắc, tìm sự cảm thông và chấp thuận, và ý thức thuộc về một cộng đồng.

NV: Tình hình cuốn phim hiện ra sao? Khán giả đón nhận cuốn phim như thế nào?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Tôi rất tự hào nói rằng bộ phim đã chiếu và được đón nhận nồng nhiệt tại các đại hội điện ảnh trên toàn quốc. Chúng tôi đã đoạt giải Khán Giả Bình Chọn tại Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Việt Nam Quốc Tế (ViFF), và phim được chính thức chọn chiếu tại các đại hội điện ảnh Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Quốc Tế Rhode Island, filmAsiafest (Dallas), Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Á Châu Thái Bình Dương DC, Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Á Châu Philadelphia. Sắp tới phim sẽ chiếu tại Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Á Châu San Diego, Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Á Châu Vancouver, và Ðại Hội Ðiện Ảnh Quốc Tế St Louis.

Năm 2010, nhân dịp 35 năm Sài gòn thất thủ và 35 năm chiến dịch Babylift, chúng tôi được mời tham dự rất nhiều buổi chiếu giới thiệu với các nhóm cộng đồng khắp nơi.

NV: Có nhiều người Việt đến để xem phim không? Ðạo diễn có nghe khán giả Việt Nam nói gì về phim này?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Số người đến xem phim rất đa dạng. Có những người “adoptees” cũ đến xem phim. Có gia đình họ đến xem. Các cựu chiến binh đến xem. Người Mỹ gốc Á cũng như các sắc tộc khác đến xem phim rất nhiều.

Phản ứng của khán giả rất tích cực, và cảm động. Có nhiều người, có khi họ còn không biết về sự kiện lịch sử này, cho biết họ nhận được sự cảm hứng với lòng dũng cảm của những tình nguyện viên Babylift, và họ cảm động rất nhiều trước những phấn đấu của trẻ mồ côi được nhận nuôi. Bất kể tuổi già hay trẻ, sắc tộc nào, mọi người đều cảm nhận được câu chuyện kể trong phim.

Tôi xin trích đoạn tôi nhận được từ ông Chi Nguyen, phó chủ tịch ICON tại Philadelphia:

“Là một người cố vấn cho hai trẻ mồ côi Việt Nam được nhận nuôi, tôi đã rất vui mừng được xem phim ‘Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam.’ Cuốn phim vượt xa sự mong đợi của tôi và lôi kéo khán giả trong từng câu chuyện, từng hình ảnh, từng cảm xúc.”

NV: Ðiều gì khiến đạo diễn cảm hứng để làm phim về Operation Babylift?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Là một nhà làm phim Việt Nam, tôi luôn luôn tò mò và muốn tìm hiểu thêm về di sản văn hóa của tôi. Khi tôi nghe câu chuyện của Chiến dịch Babylift, tôi tự dưng thấy rất cảm động về một điểm sáng rạng ngời trong một giai đoạn tăm tối của lịch sử.

Phải sau khi nghiên cứu rất nhiều về các trẻ em mồ côi cũ, nay đã lớn – những người “adoptees” – mà tôi mới hiểu được tầm mức phức tạp đằng sau chiến dịch nhân đạo này. Tôi cảm thấy những người adoptees cần phải nói được tiếng nói của mình.

Tôi không phải là một người adoptee trong nhóm Babylift, nhưng tôi thấy cảm thông với những khó khăn khi lớn lên tại Mỹ.

Có một chi tiết riêng: Trong chiến dịch Babylift, chuyến máy bay đầu tiên đã bị rớt cháy tại phi trường Tân Sơn Nhứt. Phải sau khi bắt đầu nghiên cứu cho cuốn phim, tôi mới biết là tôi có một bà-cô (great-aunt) là một tình nguyện viên thiệt mạng trên chuyến bay đó.

NV: Làm cách nào mà đạo diễn tìm được những người mồ côi cũ?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Tìm adoptees là một quá trình đầy thử thách. Khi tôi bắt đầu dự án này 5 năm trước đây, thời đó chưa có Twitter, chưa có Facebook. May mắn thay, nhóm người adoptees đã bắt đầu lập ra nhóm VAN (“Viet Adoptee Network”), kết nối adoptees từ khắp nơi trên đất nước. Mỗi người tôi liên lạc đều là một người xa lạ hoàn toàn, và tất cả những cú điện thoại và những buổi phỏng vấn đều là một quá trình phải đạt được sự tin tưởng của họ khi tôi yêu cầu họ cho tôi biết hầu hết các chi tiết cá nhân và riêng tư trong đời của họ.

Nhưng rồi, không biết tại sao, mọi chuyện đến lại với nhau. Người adoptee này giới thiệu tôi tới người adoptee khác. Tôi rất may mắn được họ tin tưởng kể lại câu chuyện của họ. Bây giờ, nhiều người adoptee là bạn thân nhất của tôi và cũng là người ủng hộ tôi nhiều nhất.

NV: Nếu đạo diễn là tổng thống Hoa Kỳ năm 1975, đạo diễn có ra lệnh cho cầu không vận bốc trẻ em đi không?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Ðây là một câu hỏi hay. Ðó chính là một mục đích của phim. Chúng tôi muốn mọi người sau khi xem phim phải có nhận thức về sự kiện này và hy vọng chúng tôi đã trình bày vấn đề đủ để mỗi người tự trả lời câu hỏi này.

NV: Sắp tới đây, phim sẽ chiếu ở đâu?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Kế tiếp đây, phim sẽ chiếu tại các đại hội điện ảnh: San Diego Asian Film Festival (2:00PM, Thứ Bảy 24 Tháng Mười), Vancouver Asian Film Festival (1:30PM, Chủ Nhật 08 Tháng Mười Một) và St Louis International Film Festival (5:00PM, Thứ Bảy ngày 21 Tháng Mười Một).

NV: Ðạo diễn có kế hoạch gì sắp tới cho tương lai?

Tammy Nguyen Lee: Cuốn phim này là một dự án tuyệt vời mà tôi đã dành gần 5 năm trong đời tôi để sản xuất, với một đoàn làm phim tình nguyện và những nhân vật thật rộng lượng. Cơ hội này đã làm biến đổi cả một đời tôi. Tôi không chắc chắn sắp tới tôi sẽ làm gì, nhưng tôi có kế hoạch sẽ tiếp tục tìm những câu chuyện của cộng đồng và dùng điện ảnh để kể những câu chuyện này. Tôi cũng đang muốn bắt đầu một cái rất quan trọng đối với tôi: Một gia đình.

Read the original article in Vietnamese here.

OPERATION BABYLIFT wins the PAAFF Documentary Audience Choice Award!

PAAFF
Tammy Nguyen Lee and George Lee with adoptees Trista Goldberg, Cindy Perry-Mintz, Jared Rehberg (with wife Ying), Leigh Ann Chow, Carol Culver, Dan Burkholder and Beth Berg at the PAAFF screening.

OPERATION BABYLIFT: THE LOST CHILDREN OF VIETNAM Wins Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Documentary Audience Choice Award

Philadelphia, PA – The 2009 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival has awarded the Documentary Audience Choice Award to Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam.  The film, described as “moving and inspirational” by PAAF Executive Director Joe Kim, screened to a packed theatre on Saturday, October 10th at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.  Operation Babylift world premiered earlier this April at the Vietnamese International Film Festival, where it also won the Audience Choice Award.

Gayle Isa, Executive Director of the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia, attended the screening and said, “Heart-wrenching and heart-warming, Operation Babylift shares the stories of a unique group of Asian American adoptees who illuminate our common humanity. I was moved to tears watching it, and even moreso when I saw the film’s impact on audiences who were relating their own experiences to what they were seeing on screen. A must see for anyone touched by adoption or who cares about the Asian American community and our shared human connections…”

Producer/director Tammy Nguyen Lee experienced an unexpected emotional response. “At the end of the Q&A, we asked all the adoptees in the audience to stand and be recognized. Seeing all of them standing in front of me, many who had traveled from neighboring states, I got choked up with appreciation and was just speechless. It was an amazing moment. I’m very grateful to the audience and festival organizers for such a warm reception.”

Philadelphia adoptee Sarah Lawrence who was also in attendance said, “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam made me feel tremendously proud to be part of one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in American history. As a member of this small group of individuals, so precious and innocent, I am forever thankful for all those individuals who risked their lives so that I could have a one. While we faced many challenges in our lives and continue to struggle with new ones, we must cherish in the simple fact that we are alive today and we can have an impact in this world. This film reminds us all that as human beings we have the remarkable capacity to love one another, care for one another and help one another…even those we don’t even know.”

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country from the impending threat of the Communist regime.  These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis.  Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today. The feature documentary was a passionate team effort that took over 4 years to produce and is currently making its way through the film festival circuit. For more information, please visit www.TheBabylift.com

ATG Against the Grain Productions is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to promoting Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages.  For more information please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com.

Operation Babylift continues its exclusive film festival release this fall at the following festivals:

San Diego Asian Film Festival – 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 24th, Mission Valley Hazard Center UltraStar Theatres

Vancouver Asian Film Festival – 1:30 pm, Sunday, November 8th, Cinemark Tinseltown

St. Louis International Film Festival – 5:00 pm, Saturday, November 21st, Landmark Tivoli Theatre

For more information, please visit the official film website – http://www.thebabylift.com

OPERATION BABYLIFT: THE LOST CHILDREN OF VIETNAM to Screen at the 10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival

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DALLAS, TX – Dallas based non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions is honored to present Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at the celebratory 10th anniversary of the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) at the Hazard Center UltraStar Theatres in San Diego, California.  The award-winning documentary described as “Amazing…compelling and hard hitting,” by Bolsavik.com screens at 2 pm on Saturday, October 24th.  The Vietnamese International Film Festival (VIFF) presents the film, with producer/director Tammy Nguyen Lee, along with several cast members scheduled to be in attendance.

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country from the impending threat of the Communist regime.  These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis.  Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today.

Lee Ann Kim, Executive Director of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation said, “Operation Babylift reveals a story of the Vietnam War that many are unaware of, dealing with the most precious and tiniest victims – the children. The San Diego Asian Film Festival seeks to share such untold stories, as we believe sharing these stories of war, history, and ultimately – hope – helps us understand more about the world and about each other.”

Cast member Lyly Koenig adds, “As an adoptee, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam is a story that resonates deep within my soul. It’s an historical and honorable piece of American and world history. The public will not only enjoy this amazing film, but be enlightened by a story they may not be acquainted with. This is a film you don’t want to miss!”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, is proud to return to Southern California to showcase the film at the SDAFF. “The San Diego Asian Film Festival has an excellent reputation for supporting Asian American filmmakers. It’s an honor to be a part of this landmark festival year and share this timely and inspirational story.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee fled Saigon with her mother more than 30 years ago.  A UCLA film major graduate Lee founded ATG Against the Grain Productions to promote Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages.  For more information please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com.

Tickets and show times to the screening are available online or at the box office.

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OPERATION BABYLIFT to Screen at the 2009 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

OPERATION BABYLIFT: THE LOST CHILDREN OF VIETNAM TO SCREEN AT

2009 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

DALLAS, TX – On Saturday, October 10th, ATG Against the Grain Productions will screen Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at the 2009 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF), which runs October 9 – 11.  The award-winning documentary described as “Amazing…compelling and hard hitting,” by Bolsavik.com shows at 2 PM in the Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) located at 1219 Vine Street in Chinatown, Philadelphia.

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country from the impending threat of the Communist regime.  These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis.  Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today.

“The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is proud to screen “Operation Babylift” by Tammy Nguyen Lee,” said Joe Kim, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.  “The documentary is a moving and inspirational film that we are excited to be screening to a Philadelphia audience.”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, adds, “We are excited to be included in this year’s Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and look forward to the opportunity to bring this powerful story to a broader audience.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee fled Saigon with her mother more than 30 years ago.  A UCLA film major graduate, Lee founded Dallas based ATG Against the Grain Productions to promote Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages.  For more information please visitwww.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com.

Tickets and show times to the screening are available at http://www.phillyasianfilmfest.org/.