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Tell us what you think.
Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly.
5/12/04
Khemara Heang
Atlanta, GA
By far, this was the best documentary I have seen. I am a 22 year old Cambodian student who has been fortunate enough to have been born here in the US. Like Mike, Paul and David I was able to get in touch with my roots and travel to Cambodia for the first time. So I understand what each of the guys went through. I look up to Mike totally for stating the truth to his father, regardless of the excuse of the war. Whether good news or bad, Mike was able to answer questions inside of him that he held for twenty years of his life. Imagine that...closure. And for Paul, I know what joy feels like being able to rejoice with long lost relatives but to be able to help them out fiancially...theres no words to explain how humble and what joy that must have brought to his heart. Its almost like a feeling like he had when he repeatedly noted that he was "lost for words or stuck." Hes a blessing and I'm sure he was happy to see the construction of his sister's new house. And as for David, I understand the feeling of not really knowing exaclty how to approach his family until the end. I have to admit I really didnt know how to exaclty approach my own father's family either. But I keep my heart humble and grateful like these guys. Im sure their trip to Cambodia has taught them alot of their roots and fortunate they are...as it did for me. Spencer Nakasako definitly pulled a good move assisting in the film making. It left a great positive impact on the three guys and definilty one on me.
~ Khemara
5/12/04
D'wayne Lamont
Atlanta, Ga.
I felt Mike's pain bigtime.
I myself grew up without a father and had a lot of questions about "why" and "why not", "what if" and "maybe". Only to never reciev any answers. When I saw the diary come out I was hopeful for Mike, maybe he will get some answers from this "man". Until I saw what was in it. (A feeble attempt to escape the truth.)That's when I realized I have some serious issues with my "father" (the seed donor).
I applaud Mike for at least attempting to do something I never did, reach out for the truth even if it bites you in the butt.
I thought this was a very good documentary. Excellent subject matter, however the camera work was a little shakey. Mike if you ever need some help with your next documentary. I have experience with a camera and would be willing to help.
D'wayne Lamont
and no I do not speak Cambodian
5/12/04
Jennifer Moorer
Detroit, Michigan
I recently watched the documentary and found it to be extremely interesting. I thought that it was a great idea to have the boys take their own cameras around because, as the viewer, I was able to really see the situation from their view point. I have to give the boys alot of credit for being able to go into that situation because not only did they have to adjust to their homeland, but they also had to accept their individual family situations whether they agreed with the circumstances or not. It must have been hard for them to put on a smile and to make themselves feel comfortable for the sake of their families. I was also surprised, when I later read about the boys on this website, to find out how young the guys were. As a recent graduate myself, I thought that it was inspiring to see young people handle a situation like this with as much maturity as they each did. I wish them all much luck in the future with school, as well as with keeping in touch with their relatives.
5/12/04
Kim Jones
Ellettsville, IN
I want to applause all three of you gentlemen. Very well done. And one more thing, David, if you are single, I can change that. You are one fine man.
5/12/04
My husband and I really enjoyed this documentary. We both were touched by the raw emotion that came out of this film. We enjoyed how the film was created because it was well articulated and yet real. We hope more documentaries such as these are created because it not only focuses on relationships and modern life but also provides an interesting insight into different cultures and history.
5/12/04
Jessica Grinnell
San Antonio, TX
From the moment i flipped the channel to the film, I was hooked. It's a great documentation of a struggle for self discovery. I'm glad to know that Michael is doing so well - he seems like a great person to work with.
5/12/04
nok
As I watch this journey for the three guys, i was really sad and happy for the guys, cuz it's a great chance for you to meet your other half that you never met. It was touching that Sophal gave money to his family, and I think it meant alot to them to see him and he was able to help his sister. It's great that Mike express his feelings to his dad, as an Laotian, I know that asian men have a hard time expressing feelings, especially for the elders. I really enjoyed watching them journey. I hope you guys keep in touch with your families, cuz i never met my uncles in Laos but I send them money when they asked for help and someday I hope to meet the uncle I never met. Good luck guys!!!
5/12/04
Patty
Gulfport, MS
This show touched my heart. I felt like I was allowed to be a part of their journey to understanding a missing link of their lives. I am sad for the loss in their lives, but I'm glad these young men are a part of our American community. I hope they continue to grow in understanding and knowledge. I am wishing and praying for good things in their lives. I will keep them in my prayers.
This film was absolutly a great accomplishment for the film maker.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.
5/12/04
Chivon
I was happy I had a chance to see this program, I was moved in every way. I can relate to the guys, especially dealing with family and life. I recognized the struggle they went through to gain closure. It is unfortunate that there are all too many stories, like the one I saw tonight. I have many close friends who faced the same struggle with their families, which revolves around the Khmer Rouge. Their journey showed me that no matter where you are or where you're from, life can be unfair and things can't always turn out as expected. It take's courage and inner strength to face your personal mysteries. However, Iím sure the guys gained a lot more than just closure, but also personal growth. I thank them for sharing their stories; Iím sure they touched many other people as they did with myself.
5/12/04
Marissa Joachim
Being an Asian immigrant who have lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, I can certainly emphatize with Mike and the other two guys on how they feel about their parents' homeland. It was bittersweet to visit a place where one see so many others who look like you yet live a totally different lives due to poverty, lack of opportunities, and education. I am very impressed with Paul's generosity in giving away all his spending money to his relatives in Cambodia so they can spend it on necessity such as food. These guys are truly blessed with such big hearts and compassion. I sincerely wish them the best in their future endeavors. Thank you for telling such a touching, real and beautiful story.
5/12/04
Toledo Ohio
Refugee was very interesting. Mike's transition was amazing. Not sure what was going on with his dad. What a shock for Mike and he didn't get angry. I wonder what he is thinking about it all today? The fact that his dad is alive and well after all he has been through. I can't judge his dad because I can't even imagine what being in a war is like. I'm so happy they helped the sister. His brother was so loving, I wanted him to take him to America with him. Both boys from America were so caring. I bet they feel a tremendous need to help the whole clan. Be proud of your family Mike they have survived with pride. Thank you.
5/12/04
Tina VanDerMeiren
East Lansing, Michigan
I was truely touched by the journey of these men. I don't know what or where to really call home because I was born in Arizona and lived there until I was 4 then moved to Germany till I was 9 then to New Jersey. I was a military kid and even though I was able to see the world I don't have the long childhood friends. There are people I remember and would love to be reconnected with but who knows where they might be. My mother is from Thailand and I've only been there once when I was 5. I have a whole family on the other side of the world that I am unable to communicate with. I do not know any Thai. I wish I did like the men in the video. It's sad to know that there's a piece of you out there that you can't communicate with.
5/12/04
Boston, Ma.
In my opinion these "homies" are more American then Cambodian. Young people trying to get in touch with some perceived sense of loss. You're not part of American culture unless you can cite how you've been victimized in some way and all the better if you can film it.
I think the father was wise to keep quiet and I don't think the son was in much of a position to pass judgement.
The son exudes that sense of righteous self-confidence that is typically American.
People in poor countries get shot or put in prison with that kind of attitude.
Finally, people all over the world in developing countries struggle under severe circumstances to survive, and having the luxury to discuss your personal problems with someone is a first world idea.... an American idea, that is completely alien to those who live in poverty and often in fear.
5/12/04
M. Manning
I just finished watching this very moving documentary. I came to the website because I wanted to know what happened with the "guys". I was so sad when Mike had to part from his brother. I was surprised to learn that Paul and David had not finished High School. I do hope that this trip will motivate them to get their GED. This film should be required viewing as a part of sex education/ planned parenthood/pre-marriage classes. It illustrates better than any expert how painful family fractures are. This was evident in the lives of both Mike having an absent father and Nang having had an absent mother. Thank You
5/12/04
Boston
i really enjoyed watching your show tonight and was a bit envious. my two sisters and one of my two brothers had a chance to visit my dad's village in china, but now all my relatives who were in china are either elsewhere or deceased, so i will never have that opportunity. the sense of extended family and the importance of family come thru very strongly. and it's very hard to duplicate those concepts in modern America.
as for mike's bitterness about his dad's choice of staying with his new family, one must remember that, in some perverse way, it could occur only because his father managed to stay alive. if his father had perished along with thousands of others during pol pot's regime, one might guess that mike would feel his father made the ultimate sacrifice for him and his mother. in that sense, it was a no win situation for his father.
keep making films!
5/12/04
Steve Shaddock
Winnipeg, Manitoba
I thought the documentary was quite moving. Your comments, Ms. Bruner, echo many of observations and feelings I also had. I found the physical and emotional journeys of Mike, David and Sophal both very human, interesting and also encouraging.
The documentary displayed the barriers that are built up in our personal relationships and those we build up ourselves. I think Mike understood this at the end when he expressed that his preconceived notions of his father may not have been totally fair. However, that's not to say his feelings were wrong or misguided. They were his own and ones he had to sort out directly with his father.
I was really impressed and moved by the attitude and understanding displyed by Mike's brother Nang. He felt the impact of their father's choice in a different, but no less significant and powerful way. Also here he is meeting Mike who is living with his mother rather affluently in the U.S., with whom he could have mixed feelings to say the least. But Nang showed no resent or jealousy of his brother's life and was very open in terms of the joy he felt in just talking and being with Mike.
I also thought it was really great that David decided to meet his family despite it being the end of their time there. It was obviously difficult and took a great deal of courage. Especially when he knew the time would be short. It demonstrated the importance of these connections for oneself and others despite this.
The most important aspect I took from the documentary was how important it is to establish and maintain these contacts between family and friends despite the distance created by drifting lives. Also, it is equally important to try to understand how and why these separations occur and take into account and respect not only your feelings, but those of whom you wish to reconnect with emotionally.
Please keep programing such as Independent Lens coming PBS.
5/12/04
I feel that this particular Independant film has truly touched me. I have seen from a different perspective of what it is like to go back to where they really came from. I am a Cambodian who's parents have escaped from Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. Lifestyles, morals and goals were met differently by the Paul Mike and David. I saw that the filming was uncut. They filmed what they saw when they were there. I give them all respect for going to Cambodia and meeting with their friends and family they have never met before.
5/12/04
June
New Jersey
I stumbled across this program tonite and several times I found myself tearing up.. especially during Paul's storyline.. I love the fact that he was able to return to his home a hero and make a real difference. I wish/hope that Mike is able to share his insights that he realized at that small piece of the killing fields that he saw with his father, perhaps that will bring peace to them both. I can only imagine that they are feeling as if their meeting was unfinished. As for David, I was glad that he was able to find the courage to do the right thing. If he would have returned without at least saying hello he would be feeling worse than he probably does now for not spending much time with them. In general, I loved this program and I thank all involved for sharing it with us PBS viewers. I only hope to catch it from the beginning next time.. Good luck to all of you and God Bless.
5/12/04
JOHN
QUINCY MA
I was so touched by all three boys (men)I was also touched how they gave them money. I really enjoyed how MIKE pushed his father to tell the truth and get to the point what a mATURE YOUNG MAN WITH A SINGLE PARENT.SOPHAL WAS REELY GOOD ALSO AND I ENJOYED HOW HIS FAMILY FROM USA GAVE HIM MONEY TO GIVE TO HIS SISTER AND HE SHOULD TRY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND STAY THERE.i TOUGHT DAVID WAS KINDA COLD ABOUT HIS FAMILY.I WAS ALSO IMPRESSED HOE MIKE INVITED HIS BROTHER TO TRAVEL WITH THEM ON HIS WAY HOME.GREAT FANTASTIC TEAR JERKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND SEPARATION BECAUSE OF A DIVORCE MY EX TOOK MY SON 800 MILES AWAY BUT I SEE HIM EVERY I MEAN EVERY SINGLE VACATION DAY I GET. AGAIN GREAT FILM MAKING AND STORY
5/12/04
danny
miami
this film was pretty raw its the 1st things ive ever seen like it, there trip to cambodia and meeting with there familys was really cool and it inspires me to visit my family in cuba oneday ,whom i still havent met, great film guys
5/12/04
Yvette
Sioux Falls, SD
I really enjoy independent lens, and I was especially impressed to see how these 3 young men overcame their fear of emotional confrontation to ease their minds and hearts about issues that are important to them. They would have always wondered, if they never got this chance to visit Cambodia and face their past.
I hope more people take the initiative to explore their history, good or bad, it is what it is and I think it can only give your spirit peace. Thanks for sharing your lives!
5/10/04
Kirsten Bruner
Gainesville, FL
I found this to be a very touching journey. I think that Mike really
struggled with his emotions and dealt with everything very well. He wanted
so many answers to validate his pain, yet he was insightfull enough to
know that his father couldn't give him the things he so needed and wanted
to hear because of pride. I was amazed at his ability to go from the
"American" Mike to the "Cambodian" Mike, his transition from one to the
other was incredible, so strong and still so vulnerable and hurt.
5/7/04
I like it alot
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