Descendants of Hai Ba Trung
“This film features the Vietnamese Army, referred to as "sons" of the famous Trung sisters of Vietnamese history” (US National Archives). "The film draws from Vietnamese mythology to allegorize South Vietnam’s struggle with the North, drawing connections between the Trung sisters’ heroic resistance to the Chinese invasion in 40 CE to the conflict the South faced. Many of its sequences reveal the fingerprints of USIA and the American imaginary of Vietnam, moving between sweeping pastoral shots, montages of military preparedness, and scenes of graphic simulated violence upon people of the South—making the film ultimately prowar. However, the documentary renders a complicated, almost paradoxical visual expression of homeland defense. Instead of framing victory as likely and death as something to avoid, the allusions to familiar mythology cosmically situate the South’s resistance as a tragic duty that spans the long history of their nation" (Vukoder and Gharabaghi).
Descendants of Hai Ba Trung
“This film features the Vietnamese Army, referred to as "sons" of the famous Trung sisters of Vietnamese history” (US National Archives). "The film draws from Vietnamese mythology to allegorize South Vietnam’s struggle with the North, drawing connections between the Trung sisters’ heroic resistance to the Chinese invasion in 40 CE to the conflict the South faced. Many of its sequences reveal the fingerprints of USIA and the American imaginary of Vietnam, moving between sweeping pastoral shots, montages of military preparedness, and scenes of graphic simulated violence upon people of the South—making the film ultimately prowar. However, the documentary renders a complicated, almost paradoxical visual expression of homeland defense. Instead of framing victory as likely and death as something to avoid, the allusions to familiar mythology cosmically situate the South’s resistance as a tragic duty that spans the long history of their nation" (Vukoder and Gharabaghi).
Creators and cast
- Directors
- Duong Quy Binh
- Studio
- RVN Psychological Warfare Department, RVN Department of Defense
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
Vietnamese
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.