First Morning

Free Image HostingDIRECTOR'S NOTES: "There have been countless films about Vietnam, most of which deal with America’s involvement in the “unpopular war.” I was more interested in telling a personal story about the destruction of family and the journey towards reconciliation in the aftermath of war, from a perspective rarely scene on film. On April 30, 1975, the Communist government of North Vietnam seized control over the South and the United States military surrendered. To the rest of the world, this marked the end of the 10,000 day war. For the Vietnamese, it was the threshold of another dark and dangerous nightmare that would further destroy lives and divide families. Vietnamese, particularly “intellectuals” and those thought to have been associated with the previous regime, underwent terrible punishment, persecution and “re-education.” Seeking their freedom, close to a million Vietnamese took to sea in rickety boats, often with few supplies, and faced the horrors of nature, starvation and unspeakable crimes committed by sea pirates. This gave rise to the name “Boat People.” Over 250 thousand Vietnamese men, women and children have buried their lives at sea. However, beneath the pain and sorrow, lie incredible stories of hope and survival. Those who survived the escape by sea struggled against daunting barriers of culture and language as they settled into new countries, far from their native land. Yet, that was only the beginning. As refugees of a war-torn nation, they continued to live with the emotional and psychological scars of violence. Haunted and forever changed by their past, many chose to remain silent about the torments of war. While some have found recovery, others are still searching for peace, hoping to, at last, reveal their buried secrets. “First Morning” looks beyond war and politics, exposing the voices of an exiled community and ultimately, one family’s difficult quest for healing. Their collected memories take us back in time, to a story more intimate, told closer to the ground, offering a rare glimpse into an important chapter of human history."