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The Betrayal, an excerpt

Directed by Ellen Kuras and the film’s main subject Thavisouk Phrasavath, THE BETRAYAL spans 23 years following the Phrasavath family as they escape to America to avoid the possibility of imprisonment or execution during the Vietnam War.

The use of images without dialogue has been utilized numerous times throughout the history of cinema. This 90-second clip that we have selected is no different in regards to this, but during our Arts Engine screening, some of us had a more profound reaction than others, since this scene brings us into a very personal and emotional space. Thavi reunites with his Laotian family after 23 years and his grandmother is so expressive that it’s uncomfortable to watch. It’s as if their personal space is being invaded. Yet, in stark contrast, his younger sister—who has no memory of him—is emotionless.

~ David Wright

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The Betrayal recently played in its entirety at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Ellen Kuras was there to talk about the film—no doubt going into the fact that The Betrayal took 20 years to make!

More here: http://calendar.walkerart.org/canopy.wac?id=5424

Posted on Feb 23, 2010 by enrico

Just would like to inform you,

It is not a Vietnamese Family but Laotian Family!

The Laotian people flee the War and Red Communist occupation in Laos, because some of Lao People were against Communist and figth with C.I.A during the Secret War in LAos to cut the
HochiMinh way in LAos territory.

Best Regards,

Posted on Mar 4, 2010 by JPC

@JPC, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The second paragraph in the description states that Thavi reunites with his Laotian family after 23 years.

Posted on Mar 4, 2010 by genioso

very touching moments captured in a very subtle way. Very well made to show deep emotions in just 90 seconds.

Posted on Jun 6, 2011 by amit sen

about 90SC

Each month MediaRights.org will select a video clip from a social-issue piece of media and present it to its visitors to watch, comment-on and forward to their peers. Clips will be no longer than ninety seconds. As social-issue media increases on television, in theaters and on-line, we want to highlight the art of this important content. Stay tuned each month to see which film and what scene we are highlighting!