Green Dragon (2001)

The story of some Vietnamese refugees as they first arrive at Camp Pendleton in the United States as the Vietnam war ends in 1975.

Director:

Timothy Linh Bui

Writers:

Timothy Linh Bui (screenplay), Timothy Linh Bui (story),

Stars:

Patrick Swayze, Forest Whitaker, Duong Don

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Swayze	...	Gunnery Sergeant Jim Lance
Forest Whitaker	...	Addie
Duong Don	...	Tai Tran
Hiep Thi Le	...	Thuy Hoa
Billinjer C. Tran	...	Duc (as Billinjer Tran)
Kathleen Luong	...	Second Wife
Phuoc Quan Nguyen	...	Loi
Long Nguyen	...	Quang Hai
Catherine Ai	...	Hien
Phu Cuong	...	Old Man
Kieu Chinh	...	Kieu
Trung Nguyen	...	Minh
Jennifer Tran	...	Anh
Linda Tran	...	Thuy Hoa's Sister
Tuan Tran	...	Tuan

Storyline

A tale about Vietnamese refugees sent to an orientation camp on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base in California, 'Green Dragon' focuses on a young boy and his sister. Set in 1975, the film chronicles the stories told to the two children by other refugees in the camp and of Tai Tran, who dares to introduce himself to Sergeant Jim Lance. In developing a relationship with Lance, Tran is able to improve conditions and communication for all in the refugee camp.

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Plot Keywords:

refugee camp | vietnam war | polygamy | u.s. marine corps | vietnam era | 

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Taglines:

A story from a war that had been forgotten

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing situations, nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Vietnamese

Release Date:

23 April 2004 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

Puff the Magic Dragon

Filming Locations:

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, Oceanside, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franchise Classics, Franchise Pictures, Rickshaw FIlms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Near the beginning of the movie, Minh (the young boy) walks the length of the darkened Quonset hut. He goes to the end and looks through the set of double doors. The very next scene switches to the exterior. He is now exiting a single door, because he has come out on the side of the building.

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Crazy Credits

Second Unit (The Love Unit)

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

User Reviews

One word... AWESOME!!

Green Dragon was absolutely amazing. I found it to be very realistic in portraying what it would be like back when the Vietnamese people had to live in the refugee camps.

This film is very touching as well. I loved the relationship between Minh and Addie who is played by Forrest Whitaker. The character Minh is a little boy who is forced to come to America with his uncle and his sister. He is constantly searching the camp for his mother and father. While this is going on, he develops a friendship with Addie. Addie is a cook and a talented artist. Minh and Addie bond because they both like to draw and love comics.

I also liked the other parts of the story as well. Tai's character was great. He plays the camp manager and keeper of the peace. He has to deal with Minh's mother and father not being there and how he had to leave without them.

There are other cool little stories mixed in, but you should watch it for yourself and find out. This really is a very moving film, and it should not be missed.

9/10