My Father's Vietnam (2015) User Reviews

A personal account of a common experience during the Vietnam War

[DavidKarner · 10/10 · 23 February 2016]

Sorensen's exploration of his father's experience in Vietnam opens the door to the tragedy of losing a loved one with so much vitality and hope for the future. Over 50,000 families live with such loss, and this story highlights how young men make personal connections, only to have them rent apart by war. I believe people continue to watch stories like this not to dwell on the tragedy, but because other generations still care about our collective history. My Father's Vietnam tells this story with respect and interest in who they were and who the survivors are today. Sorensen mixes interviews, personal photos and personal super 8mm film from their experiences to show one view of Vietnam in 1969-1970, which substantiates the story. I found that the simplest of requests, the single act of writing an article can alter one person's experience and in a real sense, save their lives. An important aspect to understanding those who served at that particular time is the sense of duty to the country - that when our leaders deem an action important, many young men feel that it's important to do their part. Many men, including those in this film, are and were moral men, in search of doing what was right on an individual level. That often gets lost when people speak about the Vietnam War today. Those we lose live on in our memories of them, and in the sharing of those memories, and that makes this film worth watching.

A discussion of experiences in Vietnam framed within a very personal lens

[tompalleschi · 10/10 · 16 March 2016]

Soren Sorensen's documentary "My Father's Vietnam" chronicles the experiences of his father Peter Sorensen during his time spent overseas in the Vietnam War. Given the personal nature of much of the subject matter that the film covers, "My Father's Vietnam" presents this information in a very intimate way; using his relationship with his father as a framing device, Soren Sorensen shapes the film in order to allow Peter Sorensen and his friends and family members to recount the events to us almost as if we are sitting in for Soren himself, listening with full attention as we hear of these tragedies and hardships that were endured on a small scale, personal level during the war for the very first time. This makes for a very engaging experience for the viewer, leaving us feeling like we understand the subjects and the struggles that occurred during this period of their lives while giving us insight into how the events have helped to shape them into who they are today.

These interviews form the backbone of the documentary, but "My Father's Vietnam" is also enhanced by a selection of never-before-seen photographs and actual 8mm footage that truly bring the words of Peter Sorensen and the other interview subjects to life on the screen. The stories that they recount are emotionally gripping and relatable; anyone with family that has gone through a situation such as this should be able to connect to something that they see or hear in this film, even if the war was never really a topic of discussion around the house. "My Father's Vietnam" intends to and ultimately succeeds in breaking down that barrier of discussion by showing insight into the minds of soldiers like Peter Sorensen through individual wartime experiences and the personal connections that they have since gone on to form in their own lives.

A MUST SEE Film

[wilsonsinaz · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

I am in this film and I credit Soren Sorenson for his professional approach to me, a complete stranger at the time, known only by name, email address and a remembrance posted years ago on the Virtual Vietnam Wall. At that time I had not spoken about my Vietnam experiences - and no one had asked. Searching for a better understanding of his father's Vietnam experience led Soren to contact me regarding that remembrance and the experiences behind it. Soren has explored a topic which many have avoided - war's effect on the individual - and by natural extension to his family and all relationships throughout life. This is a film not just for veterans and their families; it is a human story for all.

This film opens up powerful conversations

[ehsorensen-68257 · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

For starters, I'm in this movie. I'm the mother of the filmmaker and wife of the father in the title -- the man who made it home. Although too many people didn't make it, those who did have been home for over 40 years, and I'm betting many of them -- in their 60s and 70s now - - have rarely spoken of their experiences, views and feelings about the war. "My Father's Vietnam" opened up important conversations in our family, which helped build and cement closer relationships.

If you have a family member or friend who is a veteran, watch this movie with him or her. Regardless of which war or which generation or what politics or what worries you all have about opening up the conversations, it is so worth the time. The three men featured in this film are very different. Conversations will go in new directions once you hear their stories from family members and fellow soldiers, see photos and film from their attics, and listen to powerful contextual narration.

If you have no experience with veterans or wars, watch it to see the balanced views of those who do.

And the end will surprise you.

Thanks to our son for this gift to our family and to veterans and their families.

An important look at the Vietnam War through a personal lens

[ajorourke · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

In my opinion, history is best learned through personal experience and the stories told by those that directly experienced the events. This movie perfectly blends the history, emotion, and impact of the Vietnam War. This is a film that has great relevance today as the world is torn by the threat of combat and the impact it has on families around the globe. Thought provoking and emotionally charged, I applaud all that made the effort to make this film. The intimate audience that viewed the film this evening were obviously moved as there was complete silence during the film and for several minutes afterward until thoughtful conversation took place. This is a story that needed to be told and warrants being heard by those old enough to have lived through the Vietnam era and those that are younger but concerned about what shaped the lives of those that came before them.

Powerful documentary about a filmmaker asking his father about his experiences in Vietnam

[kmm-86419 · 10/10 · 14 March 2016]

I saw this documentary at a film festival in Connecticut a few months back, and I thought this piece was incredibly powerful. Soren Sorenson gives us a truly personal perspective of the Vietnam war, through the lens of his growing relationship with his father. How many of us have had relatives who have fought in wars, and never took the time to ask them all the things we've wondered about their brave service? As an writer, I have learned that the more personal you become, the more universal themes reveal themselves, and this film is a perfect example of that idea. I also have to note that the film is scored beautifully. Highly recommend checking this out!