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While the Vietnam war holds a prominent place in American history books, most Americans know little of the US’s secret war in the neighboring country of Laos. After nearly a decade of bombing, the US withdrew from Laos leaving behind thousands of Laotian soldiers to face punishment and even execution for collaborating. The family of one such soldier managed to escape to the United States and their story is now told in a new film called The Betrayal. Filmed by Ellen Kuras in collaboration with the subject of the film, Thavisouk Phrasavath, The Betrayal was filmed over 23 years, examining the epic journey of an immigrant family and their struggle to deal with the past of their native Laos and their future in America. The film is scored by Academy-award winning composer Howard Shore and was nominated for Best Documentary for this year’s Independent Spirit Awards.

GUESTS: Ellen Kuras, director, co-writer, cinematographer and producer of The Betrayal