Tag: Tammy Nguyen Lee

OPERATION BABYLIFT Screens Twice in the Windy City

Non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions proudly presents Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam twice in Chicago this April.

The film makes its city premiere at the 15th Annual FAAIM Chicago Asian American Showcase, screening at 3:15 pm on Sunday, April 11th at the Gene Siskel Film Center, located at 164 N. State Street in Downtown.

“Operation Babylift” was a $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country to protect them from the impending threat of the Communist Regime.  Even with the best intentions, these adoptees grew up facing a unique set of challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis. Nearly thirty five years later, this documentary takes a candid look at a significant, yet untold event as seen through the eyes of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, and features compelling and insightful interviews from a cross-section of adoptees and Babylift volunteers.

Film festival director, Tim Hugh, notes how this year’s festival features three films on adoption told from unique and different perspectives. Operation Babylift is a contemporary look at Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today through the eyes of the adoptees themselves.  “We’re pleased to be able to present Operation Babylift to the Chicagoland area, not just for the Vietnamese community, but also to help educate our other communities and people to the struggles, and the rich, complex stories the Vietnamese in America have,” said Hugh.

Ticket and screening information is available at http://www.faaim.org.

Operation Babylift has an encore showing the following weekend at 5:30 pm on Saturday,  April 17th, sponsored by the Loyola VASA and API Committees and co-sponsored by FCVN Chicago.  The free admission community screening takes place at Loyola’s Lake Shore campus in the Simpson Living-Learning Center , located at 6333 N. Winthrop Avenue.  Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee and cast member/adoptee Jared Rehberg will be in attendance for the Q&A following the screening.

For more information on how to attend the Loyola University community screening, visit http://luc.edu/diversity/api_heritage_month.shtml

Tammy Nguyen Lee to Join Vietnamese Filmmakers at Cinema Symposium 5

Tammy Nguyen Lee, ATG Against The Grain Productions President and filmmaker,  joins several other Vietnamese filmmakers and creatives at the Cinema Symposium 5 panel discussion held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at UCLA. Tammy will stream in live from Dallas, TX to  share her perspective on producing her award-winning documentary, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. Read below for more info:

Cinema Symposium 5 Unites Filmmakers, from Established to Emerging, Local to Global

HIDDEN GENIUS’s Top Five Films To Be Screened at Cinema Symposium 5
Los Angeles, Calif. – UCLA’s Vietnamese Language and Culture (VNLC) and the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA) present the fifth biennial Cinema Symposium titled “Operation Greenlight: Breaking into the World of Vietnamese Cinema.” Cinema Symposium 5 will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dodd Hall 121 on the UCLA campus. Admission is free and open to the public. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.

The symposium will feature 11 distinguished guests. Our panel includes: Kieu Chinh (Actress/Producer, “Journey from the Fall,” “Sad Fish”, “Time”), Nghiem-Minh Nguyen-Vo (Director, “Buffalo Boy”, “Don’t Look Back”), Mark Tran (Director, “All About Dad”), Orchid Lam Quynh (Actress, “Sad Fish”), Minh Duc Nguyen (Director, “Touch”), Nadine Truong (Director, “Shadow Man”), Danny Do (Producer, “Just Kidding Films”). As a special feature, we will also be streaming “Live” from Saigon the production team from “De Mai Tinh” [Fool for Love], with Dustin Nguyen, Irene Trinh, and Charlie Nguyen. Also joining us “Live” from Dallas, Texas, is director Tammy Nguyen Lee of “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam.”

The esteemed panelists will be discussing the “ins” and “outs” of Vietnamese filmmaking, producing, and distributing. They will offer advice and speak about their experiences in the making of films and short videos in both Vietnam and Vietnamese America. The panel discussion will be followed by a lively Q & A. Shortly thereafter, please join us for the screening of the “Hidden Genius” competition entries.

“Hidden Genius” is an exciting short film competition open to emerging filmmakers. After months of screening and deliberation, the selection committee nominated five short films for the Grand Jury Award, sponsored by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA), and the Audience Award, sponsored by Coco Paris LLC. These films hail from four countries — the United States, Canada, Australia, and Vietnam — and, in spite of the specific qualifications of this competition, vary immensely in subject matter and aesthetics. Patrick Bergeron’s “Loop Loop” is an experimental panorama filmed from a train ride in Hanoi. Justin Quoc Dang’s “Dice” is a thrilling lesson on the ephemeral nature of glory. Minh Duc Hoang Tran’s “Closed…!” explores the mounting tension between an alienated wife and her oblivious husband. Hoa Vu’s “Water Me” is a tongue-in-cheek memoir of a vacation in Vietnam among friends. Last, Huy Vu’s “Thinking of You” is a lush vignette about a quirky flower shop girl and the elusive “object” of her desire. These films, deriving from the furthest corners from our base in southern California, demonstrate that Vietnamese is indeed a “globalized” nationality, hence the theme of this year’s Cinema Symposium 5 – “Operation Greenlight: Breaking into the World of Vietnamese Cinema.”

Cinema Symposium was created in 2002 by VAALA and VNLC and is held every other year at UCLA. The forum seeks to create connections between Vietnamese American professionals working in the film industry and students with an interest in film and Vietnamese culture. Cinema Symposium alternates yearly with the Vietnamese International Film Festival (ViFF), which is also biennial. It works to promote works that are by or about Vietnamese Americans. The event also highlights the achievements of professionals in front of and behind the camera. These artists’ accomplishments in this highly competitive industry continue to pave the way for other Vietnamese Americans and are inspirational to many in the community.

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Meet and greet; refreshments served
3:00 – 3:10 p.m. Opening remarks
3:10 – 3:30 p.m. Showcase of trailers/clips
3:30 – 5:15 p.m. Panel discussion
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. LIVE streaming from Saigon with Để Mai Tính team
5:30 – 5:35 p.m. LIVE streaming from Dallas with Tammy Nguyen Lee
5:36 – 6:00 p.m. Screning of Hidden Genius’s five finalists
6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Break
6:15 – 7:00 p.m. Awards presentation

Moderated by Lee Ngo and Daniel Pham

FUNDED BY:
Funded by USA/BOD and Coco Paris LLC

For more info, visit:
www.vnlc.org
www.vaala.org
www.VietFilmFest.com

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 3rd 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 4th.  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.

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 15th 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 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.

“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

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 19th 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.

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

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

n5955334500_184

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 historyFrom 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.

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

index_01

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.

###

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/.