South East Asian Studies Films

Between Two Worlds

Between Two Worlds: The Hmong Shaman In America powerfully exposes the struggle of Hmong refugees in America. This classic documentary traces the lives of three Hmong families displaces thousands of miles from their villages in Northern Laos and alienated in American cities. Renowned anthropologist, Dwight Conquergood, narrates the rich history of shamanic rituals and explains the similarity between Hmong beliefs and those of Aboriginal people of the Americas.

Blue Collar and Buddha

"BLUE COLLAR AND BUDDHA" is that rarity among documentary films - a compelling human document, a proactive statement, a moving exploration of both anger and gentleness. This is not merely a first rate film—it's an important one."
- Donald Spoto, author, The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock

This Dramatic Documentary explores America's most recent refugees, struggling against the mounting tension of a post-Vietnam era filled with guilt and anger. A group of Laotian era filled with guilt and anger. A group of Laotian refugees have built a Buddhist temple on a small farmstead on the outskirts of a resolutely blue collar town. Their efforts to preserve their culture and religious heritage have been greeted by several terrorist attacks upon their temple.

Blue Collar and Buddha is a moving portrait of the experience of today's refugees and the dramas that results when East meets West.

Bolinao 52

Directed by: Duc Nguyen
Produced by: Duc Nguyen

One boat with 110 passengers escaped from Vietnam. After 37 days of drifting only 52 survived.

LICENSE	PRICE
University and College	$200
High School, Community Libraries & Non Profits	$99.95
Home Viewing	$23.95

"...This fine first feature is a disarming personal documentary that turns into a very moving consideration of...individual heroism. Winner of a well-deserved jury prize..."
- Variety

Born on Cambodian New Year in a refugee camp, Socheata grew up in the United States not knowing anything about her family’s past. She journeys to Cambodia to discover the secrets of how her family came together during the Khmer Rouge period. She finds that what her parents hid in shame also proves their great heroism. NEW YEAR BABY is a love story – a celebration of family and the power of commitment.

Return to Tarawa: The Leon Cooper Story

Directed by: Steven Barber
Produced by: Leon Cooper

In 1943 US Navy ensign Leon Cooper was charged with protecting the lives of hundreds of US Marines in the first major US amphibious assault upon the heavily defended Japanese stronghold Tarawa, an island archipelago in the South Pacific. Sixty-six years later Leon decided to return to the scene of his first (of six) battle experience because he had learned that the remains of many Americans still lay where they fell during the battle of “Bloody Tarawa,” in unmarked graves. Academy Award nominated actor Ed Harris narrates this veteran’s emotional struggle with his past.

For Mature Audiences.

LICENSE	PRICE
University and College	$250
High School, Community Libraries & Non Profits	$99.95
Home Viewing	$24.95

The Split Horn:
Life of a Hmong Shaman in America

"It would be difficult for another documentary to equal the scope of Taggart Siegel's film "THE SPLIT HORN: Life of a Hmong shaman in America."
— Justin Lowe, Asian Week

The Split Horn is the sweeping story of a Hmong shaman and his family living in Appleton, Wisconsin. Documenting the journey of Paja Thao and his family from the mountains of Laos to the heartland of America this poignant film shows a shaman's struggle to maintain his ancient traditions as his children embrace American culture. American has become the testing ground for the enduring strength of Hmong culture. The evocative narrative captures the daily struggle to Paja Thao's family between two worlds.