Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary makes a convincing case for America to do more to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) from Laos. Without admitting it to the public, the American government dropped 280 million bombs on Laos during the Vietnam War. Most of them were small, and 10-30% didn't explode, so Laotians continue to be maimed and killed by them every year. Only a tiny percentage of the necessary clean-up has been accomplished in this most-heavily bombed country in the world (per capita).

The film balances data and anecdote (and beautiful scenery) well. We meet Laotians who have recently lost limbs or family members to bombs. The excellent time-lapse visualization of the years of bombing shows the scale and geography of the problem. We also hear from the U.S. ambassador, and the head of an NGO remarks on what a hindrance UXO is to development in Laos. Then the focus shifts to Jim Harris, a retired principal from Wisconsin, and his commendable work to clear UXO.

I was bemused by the defeatist attitude toward a technological solution (a machine furnished by the Japanese proved a failure). Given the difficult terrain, extreme danger, and tragically slow progress, it seems imperative that we get a fleet of drones over there to detect the explosives and paint the ground, or whatever it is technology can do nowadays to make the cleanup safer and faster.

This film, and the book that preceded it, shine a light on an important and solvable problem. Perhaps, as our spending on the war in Ukraine passes $100 billion, this will effect a renewed resolve to spend a tiny fraction of that amount to finally clean up our bombs in Laos.

Awards:
Outstanding Documentary Feature, Tallgrass Film Festival; Honorable Mention, Best Documentary Feature, Weyauwega International Film Festival

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