Laotian-American film

[robotic]

laotian-american film!

i found two titles in a website called viewing race (http://www.viewingrace.org/browse_sub.php?film_id=201&subject_id=30).

if you know more about laotian-american film, or films based on laotian-americans,
^^ post away

Kelly Loves Tony

Subject: Asian Americans, Immigration, Laotian Americans

Summary: Tony Nai Saelio, 22 years old, and his girlfriend, 17-year-old Kelly Saeteurn, are part of a generation known in the Asian-American community as 1.5s: young Southeast-Asian refugees who exist in the uncertain zone between traditional immigrant parents and America's fast-paced society. In 1995, videomaker Spencer Nakasako gave Kelly and Tony a camcorder to record their lives. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Kelly is an honor student about to graduate from high school in Richmond, a working-class neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is also pregnant by Tony, her Laotian-born boyfriend of three months who is a former gang member. After the birth of their son, Andrew, Kelly and Tony are forced to confront the pressing demands of an adult world. Tony faces an INS deportation hearing because of his criminal past. Kelly finds juggling community college, child-care responsibilities and the domestic demands of her future in-laws overwhelming. As the camera rolls, it captures a taut portrait of young lovers caught between two cultures and their own conflicting aspirations.

Credits: Producer/Director: Spencer Nakasako; Video diarists: Kane Ian Kelly Saeteurn, Nai Tony Saelio

Format: Color; 57 minutes/Video/Study guide


Split Horn, The: Life of a Hmong Shaman in American

Subject: Laotian Americans, Religion, Assimilation

Summary: This film portrays the life and culture of a Hmong shaman and his family, transplanted from the mountains of Laos to America’s heartland. It explores issues of culture, religion, identity and assimilation and especially familial tensions that develop between generations. Split Horn documents what may be the end of the 17-year journey of Paja Tahao who struggles to keep his family connected to its 5,000 year-old shamanic traditions even as his children turn their attention to cartoons, computer games and eventually Christianity. His older children have started families of their own and severed ties to the old traditions. His teenage son’s girlfriend, who is not Hmong, is pregnant. As events draw his family apart, a sad Paja falls into depression. As a shaman he is unable to heal either himself or others, relying ultimately on family and community responses to help restore his strength. Chai, the film’s narrator and Paja’s 14-year old daughter, guides the viewer through this clash of modern and ancient worlds. Her narration provides insight into the transition from an Asian village to Middle America.

Curators' Comments: The film reveals how racial conflicts and misunderstandings often have cultural conflicts as their basis. An interesting aspect is the sometimes healing power of ritual.

Viewing Race Connections: The Split Horn works well with other Viewing Race films dealing with multiculturalism. Of special note: Banana Split: 25 Stories by Kip Fulbeck (Asian Americans, multiracial identity); First Person Plural (Asian Americans, assimilation, multiculturalism, families); My American Girls: A Dominican Story (immigration, assimilation, multiculturalism, identity); Outside Looking In (multiculturalism, families); Postville: When Cultures Collide (race relations, immigration, assimilation, Mid-America).

[Paradox]

Hmm this is interesting and I really want to watch this. I've been dating a thai-laotian girl but I understand this is much more about the asian-american experience.

[robotic]

an interview of a young laotian-american director & activist, soudary kittivong-greenbaum. in this interview, she discusses "90 minutes" (laotian-american film festival), laotian-american identity and satjadham.

check out the interview here :smile: http://www.naatanet.org/community/archives/arch_faculty/satjadham_soudary.html

Soudary Kittivong-Greenbaum talks with NAATA's Shilpa Mankikar about the Laotian American community, and upcoming Satjadham Conference of Southeast Asian film, music, and literature. The weekend-long festival "Bringing Together our Common Voices Through Literature and Activism" will be held June 28-29 at UC Berkeley and Contra Costa College. "90 Minutes," the Laotian American Film Festival, will feature Spencer Nakasako's "Kelly Loves Tony."

What is your background? (Ethnic, Professional, Activist)

I am Laotian American; ethnically Lao. (The term "Laotian" encompasses many ethnic groups who came to the US from Laos.) I work at International Rivers Network in Berkeley. I have a B.A. in Asian American Studies and Political Science from UC Santa Barbara. Being involved in the community is very important to me, so I dedicate a lot of my free time to volunteering with various groups locally, nationally and online.

Can you give us a brief history of the immigration of the Laotian American community to the US?

Laotians started coming to US after the Fall of Saigon in August of 1975 and most of the immigration continued through the eighty's. The major ethnic groups who were resettled to the US are the Hmong, Mien, Lao, Tai-Dam, Khmu, Tai-Lue, just to name a few. Most of us either swam or took a small boat across the Mekong River to get to Thailand, where we stayed at UN-funded refugee camps run by the Thai. There are so many stories of this crossing-and every family has their own.

Can you tell us about the demographics of the Laotian American community? Where is the community most concentrated?

Essentially, we are scattered all over the country. But there are pockets throughout the nation where we have critical mass-large enough to shape that community; to be visible, and to have a voice. There is a sizable population of Hmong in Milwaukee, St. Paul and Fresno. For Lao, we are in Modesto, Virginia-area and Orange County, CA. And right here in Richmond, Laotians number between 10,000 - 15, 000, with a pretty strong community of Mien and Khmu. Wherever we are, I have to say, we are able to create community very easily-a testament to the strong cultural trait of kinship. But there are needs still out there-needs that are trying to be addressed today by community-based organizations, national entities and associations, among other organizing methods.

How has the refugee experience shaped the community? What issues are particular to the Laotian refugee community? Has the immigration changed recently compared to in the 70s?

There are many issues we face, and they are not that different from other refugee and immigrant communities, especially our Vietnamese and Cambodia cousins who have experienced similar life stories-of war, being uprooted, and having to adjust to a new life. There are issues that range from cultural adjustment, to economic and educational barriers, to access to public assistance and health and human services. There are many! For more information, I would check out the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center's website (www.searac.org) that gives not just historical background, but opportunities on how to get involved.

In Satjadham, our writings have touched upon themes such as intergenerational gap, acculturation, dichotomies between the traditional and "American", interracial dating, gender issues, identity, education and racism. What makes it unique for Laotians is that often, we are just skipped over. Within the mainstream, and even within Asian America, our experience is often ignored or tokenized. I don't think it's intentional--it's just that we've never been given visibility. Our existence here in the US is because of a war too--more specifically, the Secret War in Laos. The average person will know about the Vietnam War, but not likely the Secret War; that fact mirrors the uniqueness of the Laotian American experience and how we're always struggling to be seen and heard.

One other key uniqueness is that we are so diverse. As I mentioned before, the term Laotians encompasses dozens of ethnicities. Culturally, it's a strength, but in organizing, it can be a challenge.

What Satjadham does is try to create voice. There are now many of us who are 2nd generation-and they will want to know what their stories are. They'll want to know the stories of their parents. Through sharing with one another today-that's what we're ensuring for them. Whether it's recognized or not, we're healing ourselves and the community at the same time.

What are some of the key organizations working around these issues? Who are some of the leaders in your community? What kinds of alliance-building can people from other communities get involved with?

There are many local organizations working on empowering our community. And many leaders. One local organization is the United Laotian Community Development, Inc., which I have been involved with for the last two years. The ULCD works with the Contra Costa County to provide direct services like access to employment, dealing with welfare reform, and ensuring that the health of our seniors are looked after.

How does cultural work like film or music address some of these issues? What is the value of cultural work and its connection to organizing in your community?

Art is so important in moving forward society. I believe it can be a tool to transform the community, while at the same time, the community can transform art. In films, different issues can be explored and there is a distance that can provide bittersweet honesty that wouldn't necessarily come out in personal conversations, especially if the topic is difficult or controversial.

Tell us about the conference that Satjadham is hosting this month. Where will it be? How long have you been hosting the conference? Is it always in California?

Satjadham (www.satjadham.net) is an internet-based Laotian American literary group, founded in 1995, that seeks to preserve and promote Laotian arts, language and literature within the context of our refugee experience and with a consciousness to change our world. Satjadham's main medium of communication is online, via a listserv. We know that only a portion of our community has access to the internet, so once a year, we gather at a chosen location for a conference that addresses some theme to empower the community. This year's conference, "Bringing Together our Common Voices through Literature and Activism" will be held June 28-29. A film festival will be held Friday from 7-10 pm at UC Berkeley, and the main conference will be on Saturday, from 8:30 to 4:00pm at Contra Costa College, with an evening program at Nali's Cafe in Richmond. We do this all voluntarily, and the conference chair, location and theme are rotated. In the past, our conferences have been in Fresno, Elgin, Illinois, Seattle, Washington, D.C., San Diego and Minneapolis, St. Paul. We hope you'll join us! For more information, visit http://www.sjd7sf.satjadham.net.

Tell us about 90 Minutes, the upcoming Laotian American Film Festival. Why did you decide to have a film festival?

I think we were all just brainstorming one day and thought--wouldn't it be cool to showcase some films about us, made for us and produced by us? And we just rolled with it. It would be great if one day we could have a much-more intense and longer-running festival, though. One night is hardly enough, but it's a beginning.

Which films will you be showing? How did you choose these particular films?

The film festival will feature four films, including:

*The NAATA-produced "Kelly Loves Tony," which documents a young Mien couple and their educational, personal and cultural challenges in the year after they graduate high school

*"Untold Stories," a self-produced and directed documentary about four Cal students and their paths to higher education

*"Bombies," about unexploded cluster bombs that litter the countryside of Laos, the efforts to clear them and how it affects the lives of villagers who face them today

*"Rhythm of the Elders," a documentary about passing on the cultural tradition of music

The three main questions that the focuses upon are: What are the roots of our voices? What are the voices of Laotian Americans today? And What are the strategies to being heard? We thought kicking off the conference with a film festival might spur thought and discussion for the main conference on Saturday. We chose these four films because they represented a different part of our experience. We chose "Bombies" because what happens in Laos affects us still today, and because it tells a story that has not been told. "Kelly Loves Tony" because of its honesty and ability to tell a poignant tale of the push-and-pulls of culture, gender roles and relationships. We chose "Untold Stories" because it features students from diverse ethnic and generational bac kgrounds and their paths to higher education. "Rhythm of the Elders" because it highlights the elder generation and the importance of music and passing on the culture.

Who are some of the writers and musicians who will be reading and performing at the festival? What are key points that their work brings out?

T.C. Huo, author of "A Thousand Wings" and "Land of Smiles," will be giving a Reading and Q&A session. His first novel is interesting because it is mostly about food and finding love--the main character a Laotian. His second novel, "Land of Smiles," touches on the exodus experience, told through the eyes of a boy coming-of-age.T.C. is one of the first Laotian American writers to be published. Mr. S. Sengsirivanh, a poet and lyricist who was popular in Laos in the 60s will be presenting a workshop on Laotian music and poetry. The conference is the place to share our original writings, and there will be many writers from Satjadham who will be reading poetry throughout the conference and at the Saturday evening program, SJD7Live: poetry, performance and art. We hope to engage conference participants through sharing our writings, and encouraging everyone to write! Everyone has a story. And it will only be told if we write them.

What motivates you to keep doing the work you do?

I like to write. I like being active. I like being a part of something, not just floating. All of that just transfers into the work that I do.

[SunWuKong]

any idea where and when these films might be played?

[AngryABCGirl]

I've seen Kelly Loves Tony in my ASA classes, really good documentary.

[robotic]

any idea where and when these films might be played?

i'll try to catch up on and find where these films could be playing and will play in the future ^^

kelly loves tony (http://www.naatanet.org/shopnaata/videos/title/K/kellylovestony.html) - naatanet is currently selling/renting ;-; but with skyrocket fees. *scratches head* also not very sure if they only offer to institutions.

naatanet has also stocked these titles :smile:

Blue Collar and Buddha

Director: Taggart Siegel
Producers: Taggart Siegel & Kati Johnston

A Laotian community in Rockford, Illinois survives terrorist bombings and drive-by shootings at its local Buddhist temple. This is a provocative look at an immigrant population's confrontation with anti-Asian violence. Provides insight into racial scapegoating during difficult economic times.

Letter Back Home

Directors: Nith Lacroix & Sang Thepkaysone
Producer: Nith Lacroix

An honest and compelling look at life in San Francisco's Tenderloin district for Laotian and Cambodian youth. Tough and with attitude, they long for home while also carving out a life in their neighborhood. Through this bittersweet "letter back home," you can feel the history, resilience and strength in these youth.

[Shogun Empress]

They should make a Laotian film of that guy who killed all those white hunters in Minnesota. I'd go to see that.

[pseudohmong]

They should make a Laotian film of that guy who killed all those white hunters in Minnesota. I'd go to see that.

Believe it or not but I personally know his daughter.

I do not support Hollywood making a movie on him. They will distort Hmong culture and the entire tragedy.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

kelly loves tony - naatanet is currently selling/renting ;-; but with skyrocket fees. *scratches head* also not very sure if they only offer to institutions.
No kidding, it's sad to see that lots of great AA films end up getting locked up like this due to copyright laws, and thus never seen by people who actually want to see them, only seen when they're shown by institutions like schools and universities to classes (of whom a quarter are falling asleep and another quarter don't care because the class is mandatory and they can't relate).

[robotic]

documentary + film listings on berkeley's library website:

The Affects of War: the Indochina Refugee Experience.
A brief historical overview of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and the transitional stages common to the refugee experience. 58 min. Video/C 185

Becoming American. (http://www.newday.com/films/Becoming_American.html)
Records the odyssey of Hang Sou and his family , preliterate tribal farmers, as they travel from a refugee camp in Thailand after fleeing Laos to resettle in the United States. 58 min. Video/C 2932

Being Hmong Means Being Free
Highlights the history, culture and identity of Hmong immigrants and refugees from Laos who settled in the United States between 1975 and the early 1990s. The documentary looks at Hmong life in this country as seen through the eyes of the seventeen-year-old program host, Lia Vang. 2000. 57 min. Video/C 8518.

Moving Mountains: The Story of the Yiu Mien.
Focuses on the Yiu Mien people of Laos and the problems they face adjusting to life in the United States after the Vietnam War. 58 min. Video/C 2256

No More Mountains: The Story of the Hmong.
A documentary concerning cultural and social adjustment of the Hmong people who after the end of Vietnam War emigrated from their homes in the mountains of Laos to settle in California and other parts of the world. 60 min. Video/C 271

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/sseasianamvid.html