Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary tells the story of the development of Friendship Village, a village built by an international group of Vietnam War veterans near Hanoi as a care facility for children suffering from what is widely believed to be Agent Orange related disabilities. During the war the American military sprayed large swaths of Vietnam and Laos with the herbicide Agent Orange in an attempt to reduce the hiding places of its enemies. More than 72 million liters of the defoliant were utilized in this attempt. While the defoliant was effective in thinning the forests of Vietnam, it also affected the health of the soldiers (on both sides of the struggle) and villagers living in the areas, and left the soil contaminated with highly carcinogenic dioxins. These dioxins have moved through the food chain into the genes, breast milk, and food of the people of rural areas, and many children have been born with mild to severe disabilities. It is estimated that the dioxin will remain in the soil for hundreds of years

The story of George Mizo, the founder of Friendship Village, is central to this documentary. Mizo reenlisted in the army in order to serve in Vietnam. He fought with distinction and was wounded during the Tet Offensive. He was evacuated shortly before his entire unit was overrun and killed. He joined the antiwar movement upon his return to the States and later developed symptoms of Agent Orange poisoning himself. After the end of the war, Mizo joined with veterans from Vietnam and a number of other counties to build the village. Their work is a testament to the character of the individuals involved and to the potential of ordinary people joining together with a common purpose. They built the village to ease the suffering of those who live there and to engender friendship and understanding between peoples.

Michelle Mason does a wonderful job of telling this terribly tragic story in a touching and inspirational way. She employs archival footage, interviews with veterans, and modern footage from Friendship Village to great effect. This film is highly recommended to those interested in modern Southeast Asian history, in peace and war issues, in the effects of Agent Orange, and in the art of documentary film making, and to those libraries who serve them.

Awards

• Silver Hugo for Best Social/Political documentary from the 2003 Chicago International Television Awards
• Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary and Best Director of a Documentary at the 2003 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
• Columbine Award, Moondance International Film Festival