Movies

The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000)

Filmed on location in Hanoi, this story of a single Vietnamese family is told with cinematography that is exceptionally sensitive to mood and tone. Suong, Khanh, and Lien are sisters to Hai, the lone brother. Each member of the family faces a dilemma, but one is not easily seen until the characters are revealed close-up, as the day-to-day saga of their lives unfold.

A Dream in Hanoi (2002)

This documentary shows footage of Portland, Oregon's Artists Repertory Theater and Vietnam's Central Dramatic Company, who teamed up to produce a successful bilingual production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2000. The film shows both groups working through their flawed tendencies to do things their way—the Americans would prefer shorter lunch breaks and longer hours on set while the Vietnamese opt not to kiss on stage. When the directors learn President Bill Clinton is visiting Hanoi, they hope to unveil the final product to him, but all does not go as planned.

The Hanoi Hilton (1987)

This film's title derives from the name that American POWs gave the Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, where they were imprisoned and tortured during the Vietnam War. The plot focuses on the strong bonds formed by the Americans in resisting their captivity.