The Sound of the Violin in My Lai
Encyclopedia
The Sound of the Violin in My Lai (Vietnamese: Tiếng vĩ cầm ở Mỹ Lai) is a short film that examines the history and legacy of the My Lai massacre
, an incident of the Vietnam War
in which hundreds of Vietnamese civilians were massacred by U.S. Army soldiers. The film investigates the effects of the massacre, with the story centering on the return of American soldiers Hugh Thompson
and Larry Colburn to My Lai on the 30th anniversary of the event.
The film was commissioned by the Vietnamese government. It garnered director Tran Van Thuy
the Best Documentary Prize at the Asia Pacific Film Festival
in year 2000.
The violin referenced in the title is that of American Vietnam veteran and peace activist Roy Boehm.
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was the Vietnam War mass murder of 347–504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968, by United States Army soldiers of "Charlie" Company of 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the Americal Division. Most of the victims were women, children , and...
, an incident of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
in which hundreds of Vietnamese civilians were massacred by U.S. Army soldiers. The film investigates the effects of the massacre, with the story centering on the return of American soldiers Hugh Thompson
Hugh Thompson, Jr.
Hugh Clowers Thompson, Jr., DFC, BSM, PH, AM was a United States Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. He is most well known for his role in stopping the My Lai Massacre, in which a group of US Army soldiers tortured and killed several hundred unarmed Vietnamese civilians, mutilating their...
and Larry Colburn to My Lai on the 30th anniversary of the event.
The film was commissioned by the Vietnamese government. It garnered director Tran Van Thuy
Tran Van Thuy
Trần Văn Thủy is an acclaimed Vietnamese documentary film director. He has directed over 20 short documentary films.His work has often proven controversial; his 1987 film The Story of Kindness or How to Behave, which dealt with the legacy of the Vietnam War and the suffering of the Vietnamese and...
the Best Documentary Prize at the Asia Pacific Film Festival
Asia Pacific Film Festival
The Asia Pacific Film Festival, first held in 1954, is film festival held annually in an Asian country designated by the Board of Directors of the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific.Awards are handed out for:*Best Film*Best Director...
in year 2000.
The violin referenced in the title is that of American Vietnam veteran and peace activist Roy Boehm.