133 - Does generational war trauma spare anyone? - Doan Hoang

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133 - Does generational war trauma spare anyone? - Doan Hoang

The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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Đoan Hoàng is a Vietnamese-American documentary film director, producer, editor, and writer. She directed and produced the 2007 documentary Oh, Saigon about her family, after leaving Vietnam on the last civilian helicopter as Saigon fell.

The documentary won several awards at film festivals and was broadcast on PBS from 2008 to 2012. Hoang was selected to be a delegate to Spain for the American Documentary Showcase.

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Welcome to The Vietnamese Podcast! I'm your host, Kenneth Nguyen. Join me on an exploration of Vietnamese experiences from all over the world. 

I served in the U.S. Marines in the 90's and graduated from the University of Southern California in 2000. Today, I work as an LA based producer and entrepreneur and am currently a founding partner at EAST Films. 

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@MinhNguyen-jw3ln

2 years ago

I've been listening to your podcasts. They are very interesting. Keep them coming!

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The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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@PonchoNugen

2 years ago

My eyes are watering right now.

I was working in Saigon under VNCH  government, and luckily got out 3 days before .

After WW2 ,  Vietnam was on the way to become Independent from France . We don’t need that HCM took over the government by the Communist rebels.

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@bozach99

1 year ago (edited)

Doan, just saw your documentary about your family. It is so touching and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes. So enjoyed this conversation. Thank you.

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@1971gift

2 years ago

I wonder if she's been to the American War Museum in HCMC.  If she thinks Hiroshima Museum was difficult, she won't be able to get past the top floor.  It's an intense experience; stays with you.  It will be interesting to see how she processes that and reconcile this w/ her Vietnamese-American identity.  It would also be interesting to have her do work on her uncle's family who stayed and fought with the Communists.

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The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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@TheVietnamesepodcast

2 years ago

There’s so many unanswered questions as we continue to dig into our shared history. Can’t wait to see what comes from her next documentary.

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@ohsaigon

6 months ago

@1971gift, Thank you for watching! Great question! Seeing people, especially children affected by any war always affects me. Years ago, I have returned to Vietnam dozens of times, seen about all the museums I can think.  I also toured Vietnam meeting survivors, babies and children still poisoned by Agent Orange and chemicals still in the water and environment in a delegation with the folk singer Peter Yarrow and US war veterans. That was very intense and heart-wrenching for me. I had a ton of survivor guilt, as I know the amazing Marines who airlifted me out do as well with those who did not make it. Survivor guilt haunts me all the time. Thank you again for asking! Kind regards!

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@1971gift

6 months ago

 @ohsaigon  Thank you for responding.  As we watch the Gaza genocide play out...these questions are more present.  I wonder what Palestinian-American children are feeling?

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@ohsaigon

6 months ago

​ @1971gift   Yes, it is not hard to guess how fearful and decimated any children who live under war might feel, no matter what country they are in. What has happened in the Middle East in the past year, and the many decades past has been devastating on its inhabitants. No children have the right to vote, so none of them have chosen their government or their leaders. And often, over barely half of any population can agree on a leader. Although I have personal opinions, my judgment of people's reactions without attempting to understand them doesn't lead me in a positive direction.Trauma affects people's thinking and reactions. And when everyone is fearful, blaming, and judging, it's not surprising what follows. 

What I do know from my own experiences is that there are other alternatives to violence and I try and work to create more compassion and understanding of sides that may be different than my own.  Hence, why I featured my father, his brother who fought against him, and his anti-war brother in Oh, Saigon, and I continue in this in my current work (stay tuned!)  

I hope you have found a positive outlet for what you are feeling, too! Creative work is amazing that way. All the best.

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