2012-11-12 - Bicycle Film Society Show - Vietnam a Long Time Coming

The next Hackney Bicycle Film Society Show is next Monday 12th November and will be Vietnam a Long Time Coming
Following our talk on how the bicycle won the Vietnam War a couple of months ago this documentary tells the story of the 1998, World T.E.A.M. (The Exceptional Athlete Matters) Sports 1250 mile bicycle expedition through once war-torn Vietnam.
The American War in Vietnam remains a lingering wound for both nations a generation later. Between 1959 and 1975, over 5 million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans were killed, and approximately 350,000 Americans and millions more Vietnamese were injured. Many on both sides continue to suffer from physical and psychological injuries suffered then that have never fully healed.
The group of 65 riders, including blind participants riding tandem with able-bodied riders and paraplegics on hand-powered bikes, made the long trek south through Vietnam while engaging in medical and education outreach along the journey.
These outreach efforts provide some of the most touching moments in the documentary. At the dedication of a new orthotics unit at a hospital targeted by American bombers during the war, a former Air Force sergeant responsible for loading munitions on bombers breaks down in grief. At a girl’s school presentation, a disfigured former U.S. Army rifleman also becomes overwhelmed when recounting his wartime experiences. These scenes are obviously intensely cathartic for the vets, and also powerfully moving to behold.
The film also documents the continuing denial of some of the American participants about the depth of the harm done to them, and the discomfort they and others continue to have at any suggestion of personal or collection American guilt for the war. One vet who lost both legs, claims to grieve more for his thinning hair than his lost limbs. He and others boycott the group visit to the Mei Lei memorial for five hundred villagers massacred by American soldiers for fear that visiting, even thirty years later, would signal some degree of collective American culpability that they believe is unfounded.
Trailer: VIETNAM LONG TIME COMING - YouTube

All the best
Adam
To attend shows you need to be a member, membership is free but you need apply for membership by e-mailing hbfs2011@gmail.com and supplying your home address and occupation
Unless otherwise stated all events occur at
Calthorpe Arms,
252 Grays Inn Road
London WC1x 8JR (yes that is Bloomsbury not Hackney we are internationalists and believe in no borders or barriers)
They start prompt at 7:30
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Looks like it will be a busy night tomorrow