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Father's War Secrets Unveiled in New Film
25 Aug
Summary
- Filmmaker adapts father's memoir about wartime Vietnam and refugee life.
- Family members and actors re-enact memories with father's input.
- The film explores intergenerational trauma and the path to healing.
A new documentary, "Ba's Book," premieres at the Toronto Film Festival on September 15, 2026. Directed by Ashley Duong, the film adapts the memoir of her father, Anh Duong. It chronicles his challenging coming-of-age during the Vietnam War and his subsequent refugee journey through revolutionary Iran in the 1970s.
The filmmaking process involved family members and actors in re-enactments, with a replica of the family home in Vietnam constructed as a set. This unique approach allowed relatives and actors to step into past roles and offer input during filming, bringing Duong's memoir to life.
Through this cinematic exploration, Ashley Duong uncovers painful memories her father had kept private until the memoir's publication in 2024. The film uses a blend of re-enactments and documentary footage to tell an emotionally resonant story of family division, leading to peace and healing for a father separated from his siblings.
"Ba's Book" will be screened at the Toronto Film Festival, which runs from September 10 to 20, 2026. The film promises a moving narrative of intergenerational legacy and reconciliation.
