A Lao prophecy says, “A time will come when the universe will break…piece by piece…the world will change beyond what we know.” That time came for the small country of Laos with the clandestine involvement of the United States during the Vietnam War. By 1973, three million tons of bombs had been dropped on Laos in the fight to overcome the North Vietnamese, more than the total used during both world wars.

With the rise of a Communist government in Laos, killings and arrests became common among those affiliated with the former government and the Americans. Families were torn apart--some finally emigrating to the U.S. In a truly remarkable collaboration spanning more than 20 years, famed director of photography Ellen Kuras debuts her first directorial effort with Laotian codirector Thavisouk Phrasavath, the main subject of the film.

Phrasavath takes us through his youth, his escape from persecution and arrest in Laos, his family’s reunion and their journey as immigrants to America, and the second war they had to fight on the streets of New York City. Epic in scope and drawing upon the techniques of experimental film and the traditions of Laotian culture, NERAKHOON (The Betrayal) is an exquisitely crafted tale about a country, a family, and a young man who discovers the power and resilience of the human spirit.

Ellen Kuras - A respected cinematographer, Ellen Kuras has won the Sundance Film Festival dramatic Excellence in Cinematography Award an unprecedented three times: for Tom Kalin’s Swoon in 1992, and for two of Rebecca Miller’s films, Angela in 1995 and Personal Velocity in 2002. She has also received two Emmy Award nominations: for A Century of Women and Spike Lee’s 4 Little Girls. Other film credits include Blow, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Michel Gondry’s Be Kind Rewind, which is premiering at this year’s Festival. Thavisouk Phrasavath - Thavisouk Phrasavath is extremely active in the Laotian-American community and has served as the primary liaison for Laotian residents in the New York City area, founding both gang-prevention and family crisis-intervention programs. His previous film work includes writing, directing, and editing such films as Summer School, Cuba Libre, Americanos, and Golden Venture.

Screenings:

Mon. January 21, 2:45pm, Library Center Theatre, Park City
Tue. January 22, 5:30pm, Holiday Village Cinema II, Park City
Wed. January 23, Noon, Screening Room, Sundance Resort
Thu. January 24, 9:30pm, Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City
Fri. January 25, 9:15am, Holiday Village Cinema III, Park City

Flora Fernandez-Marengo
Pandinlao Films LLC
8709 Lookout Mountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 654-1200
flora@dircon.co.uk