Monday, September 10th, 5 pm

Hello,

Lots of information to give to you:

A. As discussed in class today, there will be NO CLASS next week:  Monday Sept. 17th and Wednesday, Sept. 19th. While I am gone, I expect you to view the documentary film, Daughter from Danang, on line. You can locate the film by accessing the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=2ueTwnMb8dI&feature=mv_sr

When you open the link, there is a short synopsis of the film that you should read before viewing.

B. While you are viewing the film, you will want to consider the following questions:

STUDY QUESTIONS---THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

1. One reviewer describes the film as a “gut-wrenching examination of the way cultural differences and emotional expectations collide.” Would you agree this is an accurate description? Why or why not? Explain specifically.

2. Were there parts of the film that made you feel uncomfortable? If so, what were those parts and can you articulate why they made you feel uncomfortable?

3. Heidi acutely feels that she has been rejected by two mothers: her birth mother who gave her up and her Tennessee mother, whose cold, untouching demeanor drove a wedge between them. How does this fact impact Heidi and what she ultimately experiences when she returns to Vietnam?

4. The film is considered a very powerful one by many other small filmmakers as well as many reviewers. In your opinion, what makes this an effective or ineffective film?

5. What preconceived ideas about home are proven inaccurate after viewing the film?

6. In an interview with the filmmakers, they admit that when they decided to film Heidi’s return to Vietnam, they assumed that the reunion would be a healing story, a kind of full circle coming home. The war in Vietnam was long over and they felt they could create a film that would ease the collective pain that is still connected to the war. Instead, what they did discover?

7. Some viewers have condemned Heidi for representing an aspect of American culture that they believe is selfish and individualized. What do you think and feel about Heidi’s reaction for the family’s request for money?

C.  I highly recommend that you view the documentary a few times.

D. On Monday, Sept. 24th, please bring a blue or green book to class. This is for your first of three in class responses for this semester. If you have specific and well supported responses for the study questions, you will do well on the essay. (As I mentioned in class, the study questions are simply to help you focus on various elements in the film. You are not required to answer them and submit the answers to me.) On the day of the in class writing, you will have a choice of writing topics. You will choose one only out of four prompts.