After the premier of Ethel at Sundance 2012 – a docu film by Rory Kennedy, the premier of “Last Days in Vietnam” marks his second coming at the festival. With impeccable compelling content and powerful visual – Kennedy made it an obvious intense watch.
In the 70’s, Graham Martin, the ambassador to South Vietnam of US, named the enormous tamarind tree in the US embassy compound at Saigon as “as steadfast as the American commitment to Vietnam.” In April 1975, as the North Vietnamese army closed in the city, the Americans cut down the tree – marking an end to the commitment. And, “Last Days in Vietnam” chronicles the events hereafter.
The documentary reveals a harrowing episode of Vietnam War as well as a dark episode of American history. The film, though never seemed to be creatively alluring – is powerful and intense enough to keep you glued to the screen. The events are extremely well-knitted to keep the interest and pace on.
Given the content, the film may not have much potential in theater-screening. But, it surely worth a watch in home videos.
