The Friendship Village

Profiling a remarkable place and man--against the backdrop of the Vietnam War--Michelle Mason's The Friendship Village tells the story of both the titular treatment-and-recovery facility for young children with Agent Orange-related deformities, and the late George Mizo, a decorated veteran-turned-activist, who co-founded Friendship Village and fought for its survival (with funding from Vietnam, France, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Germany, and the U.S.), even as his own health (weakened by Agent Orange exposure) was deteriorating. Although the footage is often graphic and heartbreaking--both the archival depictions of the war and the sad faces of the crippled children--the film's message is ultimately one of tempered hope as it illustrates how international cooperation can help heal old wounds (Mizo is reunited with the Vietnamese general who planned the raid that killed his entire unit) while also tackling new ones (many believe the effects of Agent Orange are multigenerational). Smartly written and shot, this inspirational documentary is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (D. Fienberg)