Hanoi Through Whose Eyes?

In 1970, a group of Vietnam veterans set out on a long march. They want to confront the local population with the shocking injustices that have been going on in Vietnam for years.

“You are the heirs of a glorious heritage, and to you has come a responsibility as honorable as it is mighty.” Dr. Samuel King challenged his congregation in the First Presbyterian Church of Waco with these words almost one hundred years ago. Today, with this film, the images of Waco Foundation responds to Dr. King’s challenge by tracing our heritage- from the Waco Indians and the Spanish Conquistadors, through the frontier days of the Chisholm Trail, to the suspension bridge and the founding of our colleges and universities- to show how the quality of life Wacoans currently enjoy emerges from a complex tapestry woven from the dreams and efforts of our forebears. The breathtaking images of Waco captured in this evocative film challenge us to acknowledge and appreciate the qualities of today’s Waco and build on our glorious heritage to create an even better community for our children.

In 1975, soon after the end of the Vietnam War, Hoa Thi Le and Hue Nguyen Che fled the country on a small boat. After nine days at sea, they docked in the Philippines, where they were utilized as background extras for “Apocalypse Now.”

A German Documentary about the “village of friendship” that was created by American Veteran George Mizo to help the Vietnamese kids suffering from the Vietnam War.

Standup comedian Fred Le hears the stories of a diverse range of young overseas-born Vietnamese who made their way back to the land that their parents left following the end of the Vietnam War. The Empathizer explores identity and the impact of trauma among Việt Kiều who grew up a generation removed from tragic events of the past.

A Vietnamese documentary on human suffering and the meaning of kindness.

Four friends embark on a journey to California where they discover the beauty of friendship amidst the stunning landscapes of the West.

Three decades after German-American pilot Dieter Dengler was shot down over Laos, he returns to the places where he was held prisoner during the early years of the Vietnam War. Accompanied by director Werner Herzog, Dengler describes in unusually candid detail his captivity, the friendships he made, and his daring escape. Not willing to stop there, Herzog even persuades his subject to re-enact certain tortures, with the help of some willing local villagers.

In 1979, Louis Malle films the thriving lives of a Minnesota farming community, but returns six years later to document its drastic economic decline, offering a poignant look at the impact of political changes.

Many times during his presidency, Lyndon B. Johnson said that ultimate victory in the Vietnam War depended upon the U.S. military winning the "hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people. Filmmaker Peter Davis uses Johnson's phrase in an ironic context in this anti-war documentary, filmed and released while the Vietnam War was still under way, juxtaposing interviews with military figures like U.S. Army Chief of Staff William C. Westmoreland with shocking scenes of violence and brutality.

This anthology film, whose Chinese title begins with a romantic name for human excrement, premiered internationally at Rotterdam and won Best Screenplay from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society. A variety of Hong Kong people wrestle with nostalgia when facing an uncertain future. Their stories give way to a documentary featuring a young barista turned political candidate.

While the war raged on, Henry Kissinger, national security advisor to President Nixon, and Lê Duc Tho, member of Vietnam's Politburo, held secret meetings in France.

A Hmong guide's daily life in the mountains of Sapa, North Vietnam.

“Saigon on Wax" is a vibrant and engaging community documentary that pulls back the curtain on Saigon's burgeoning and often overlooked vinyl culture. Moving beyond the city's well-known culinary and shopping attractions, the film delves into a passionate community of collectors, musicians, DJs, and record store owners who are shaping a unique sonic landscape. The film incorporates rich archival photos and videos, breathing life into the history of vinyl in Saigon while also showcasing its dynamic present.

After years of war and occupation, a new generation of inspiring entrepreneurs sets out to pursue their personal dreams while pushing Vietnam forward onto the world stage.

Using archival footage, cabinet conversation recordings, and an interview of the 85-year-old Robert McNamara, The Fog of War depicts his life, from working as a WWII whiz-kid military officer, to being the Ford Motor Company's president, to managing the Vietnam War as defense secretary for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.