Tag: Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam

March 26, 2010

OPERATION BABYLIFT to Screen at Vail Film Festival

Dallas, TX – Dallas based non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions is honored to present Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at its Colorado premiere during the 2010 Vail Film Festival (VFF) in Vail, Colorado. The compelling documentary that won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, screens twice. The first screening is at 2:45 pm on Saturday, April 3^rd at Vail Plaza 1. Several members of the cast, including adoptees Jane Hopkins and Lucas Young and FFAC nurse Mary Nelle Gage, will be in attendance for the Q&A following the screening.

The encore screening takes place at 12 pm on Sunday, April 4^th. Ticket and screening information are available at www.vailfilmfestival.org.

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. 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.

Several interviewees featured in the film are Colorado residents and will be present at the screening. Adoptee Jane Hopkins said, “Being adopted has always been a peripheral part of my life; although, it is a part of my identity, I have never felt like it has defined me or prevented me from being the person I am today. . . My story is only one of many adoptees. Operation Babylift provides us with a unique window into some of the lives and stories surrounding a war that had a tremendous impact on the US and Vietnam.”

Erin Sheppard, Vail Film Festival Documentary Programmer, said “Operation Babylift was the journey for identity that the adoptees went through–and continue to go through into adulthood… it is human nature to question who we are and where we come from, and this film comes at it from an under-heard group in the American population. Festival attendees will be able to relate to the questions and searching that the subjects go through during the course of the film, regardless of their backgrounds and cultural histories. This is an incredible story from the moment the group of Americans decided to move these children out of Vietnam and as it continues to unfold as each individual story branches out from their similar beginning.”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a MFA graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, added, “We’re so honored to have our Colorado premiere with the Vail Film Festival. To come full circle back to place where so many adoptees found their home and share this emotional and inspiring story is exciting and significant.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee is a first generation Vietnamese American who fled Saigon as a Boat Person 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.

March 26, 2010

OPERATION BABYLIFT Presented at Washington University School of Law

"Operation Babylift" panel at Washington University

DALLAS, TX – Dallas-based nonprofit organization ATG Against the Grain Productions had its first community outreach screening of its award-winning documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at the Washington University School of Law (WUSTL) in St. Louis, Missouri, which took place at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 15^th in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom of Anheuser-Busch Hall. Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee, along with four local St. Louis residents who were involved in Operation Babylift, attended the screening and participated in the engaging panel discussion after.

“Our first community outreach screening was a huge success. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support and emotion. To see the film touch such a broad spectrum of lives and connect people in this way makes all our hard work worthwhile and richly rewarding,” said Tammy Nguyen Lee.

“Operation Babylift inspires and provokes on many levels. An honest and nuanced examination of international adoption, it also is a poignant chronicle of how children, parents, and adults adjust over a lifetime in their understandings of parenting and home. Students at Washington University loved this film,” said Kent D. Syverud, J.D., WUSTL law school dean and the Ethan A.H. Shepley University Professor, who, as a law clerk, assisted the judge presiding over the class action lawsuit from the crash.

“Many had strong emotional reactions to the film, the panel discussion and the historical events presented. Law students got a close look at the human face of inter-country adoption, the tragic circumstances often prompting such adoptions and the hope and promise they represent. Today, inter-country adoption continues to raise difficult questions, and the film’s nuanced approach deepened the students’ understanding of these issues,” said Susan Appleton, J.D., WUSTL’s Lemma Barkeloo and Phoebe Couzins Professor of Law, whose scholarship and teaching focuses on adoption and who served as moderator and organizer of the community event.

“Operation Babylift did more than leave me thinking: it left me caring. The documentary was educational and eye-opening, but, above all, it was moving. I didn’t know how bad things were in Vietnamese orphanages back then, and I can only imagine the hardships the surviving adoptees went through. I am thankful for the, at times, painfully emotional glimpse the film provided,” said Mei Qi, WUSTL law student and President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA).

To see pictures from the event, visit ATG’s Flickr site.

ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian-American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages. Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam has received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com

February 12, 2010

Operation Babylift to be presented at SMU Leadership Conference

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam to be presented at SMU Leadership Conference

DALLAS, TX –Dallas-based nonprofit organization ATG Against the Grain Productions will showcase excerpts from their award-winning documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam as a part of a presentation for Southern Methodist University’s annual Asian American Leadership and Educational Conference (AALEC). Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee, a SMU alum, will join LA-based cast member/adoptee DC Wolfe in a panel immediately following to discuss their experiences working on the project and in the film industry. The presentation and panel will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19^th at SMU’s Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theater.

Operation Babylift is Tammy Nguyen Lee’s feature directorial debut and tells the story of how more than 2,500 orphans were airlifted out of Vietnam during the last days of the Vietnam War and their tumultuous journey growing up in America. The documentary incorporates a historical and contemporary view of this little known and controversial part of American history, featuring compelling interviews from a cross-section of adoptees, their parents and volunteers, as well as archival and rare home video footage. “The story of Operation Babylift relates to so many people on a number of levels and covers issues of identity to international adoption today. In a particularly relevant time, I’m honored to share it with young minds who can use it as a springboard for their own growth and learning,” said Tammy Nguyen Lee.

AALEC’s mission is to connect high school and college students with speakers and workshops that address cultural issues as well as leadership and career planning. “We think that the students would get a deeper understanding of the meaning of finding their identity and learn from Tammy and DC on how having confidence has helped them reached their goals,” said Yen Diep, AALEC Programming Director.

December 24, 2009

Holiday Greetings from ATG

2009 ATG Reflections

November 11, 2009

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.

November 3, 2009

Going Against The Grain: Thomas' Apartment

Thomas’ Apartment, the band behind the beautiful piece called “Coda” used in trailer and film of Operation Babylift, is celebrating a year of great shows and a recent CD release. ATG spoke with Pete Nguyen from the band to learn more.

Full Name(s) :

Thomas’ Apartment is comprised of Pete Nguyen (lead vocals, lead guitar), A. Thomas Tran (keyboard, backup vocals), Billy Vu Lam (rhythm guitar, backup vocals), Nam Tran (bass, backup vocals), and Krystal Sae Eua (drums).

Current Residence:

Nam, Billy, Thomas, and Krystal all reside in the Los Angeles area, while I’m in Irvine.

How do you feel about your piece “Coda” being used in the film?

We’re absolutely thrilled that “Coda” was chosen for Operation Babylift, and even more thrilled that the hope and inspiration that went into this piece are shared among your crew and audience. We couldn’t ask for a greater honor and thank you again for letting us be involved.

Coda is a very special piece to us. When it came time to put the Synchrony album together, we felt the album needed to end on an epic and emotionally uplifting note. We had an existing song called “Blue Skies” that was written about the Fall of Saigon, and we felt the song’s uplifting musical structure could be fleshed out instrumentally and turned into something much grander. I had been trying my hand at scoring independent films (such as Owl & the Sparrow, directed by Stephane Gauger) and I thought I’d put an orchestral arrangement to Billy’s uplifting song structure and Thomas’ brilliant piano playing. One thing led to another, our imaginations ran wild, Thomas put an amazing harp melody on top, and “Coda” was born. To add a sense of both closure and continuity to Synchrony, “Coda” ends with the same 8-note motif that begins the album in “Prelude”.

How did Thomas’ Apartment begin and what is the story behind the band name ?

About 9 years ago at UCLA, original members Billy, Nam, and Thomas all got together at an apartment that Thomas lived in to play music for fun, which eventually evolved into a more serious and ambitious musical project named after the place where it was born; Thomas’ Apartment.

What has been your favorite part or gratifying part of being a part of Thomas’ Apt.?

All five of us are very diverse in terms of our musical influences, and it’s always fun to have it all mesh together in the songwriting process. Personally, my favorite part of being in this band is the fact that we get to share these musical collaborations with so many people when we play live.

What was the inspiration for the new album?

Tuesday Night Lights is sort of an emotional snapshot of where we are at this point in our lives. Heavier and darker songs like “Miles Away” and “Today” are an in-depth analysis on the intricacies of relationships. “Tuesday Night Lights”, the title track, tells a story of the torment and helplessness felt by someone watching a friend become a victim of addiction. “Believe” is about the frustration felt by someone on the shorter end of a one-way relationship. “Stainless” is about finding the strength to walk away from an abusive relationship. There are also more lighthearted songs about falling in love and having good times, such as “Just For Tonight,” “Your Voice,” and “Michiko’s Song” (which was written by guitarist Billy Vu Lam for his recent wedding). And of course, musicians couldn’t be musicians without some tragic heartbreak stories, which you’ll find in “July,” “Give It All Away,” “Christmas Song,” and “Belong.”

What has been some of the biggest challenges you all have faced and lessons that you have learned?

We’ve all been there for each other through personal tough times, whether they be related to relationships, family, work, or our music itself. The most important lesson we’ve learned is to maintain positive and stay excited about the music we make. We’re all very lucky to have each other and there are some exciting times ahead!

October 28, 2009

OPERATION BABYLIFT Makes Canadian Premiere

Award-winning Documentary Screens at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival

Dallas, Tx – On Sunday, November 8^{th ,} 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 13^th 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.

October 21, 2009

The Audience Speaks

What 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.

October 16, 2009

OPERATION BABYLIFT wins the PAAFF Documentary Audience Choice Award!

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

October 11, 2009

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

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 10^th 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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