The Betrayal - Nerakhoon

Name: The Betrayal - Nerakhoon
Genre: Documentary
Released: November 21, 2008
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 78

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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The Betrayal

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Movie Details & Credits

Cinema Guild | Release Date: November 21, 2008 | Not Rated

Summary: Shot over the course of 23 years, Thavi narrates his own story as a child surviving the Vietnam war and then as a young man struggling to overcome the hardships of immigrant life, an experience shared with his mother in war. Breathtaking and compelling, renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras’s film is a poetic, deeply personal film, aShot over the course of 23 years, Thavi narrates his own story as a child surviving the Vietnam war and then as a young man struggling to overcome the hardships of immigrant life, an experience shared with his mother in war. Breathtaking and compelling, renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras’s film is a poetic, deeply personal film, a powerfully eloquent tribute of what it means to be in exile, of the far-reaching consequences of war, and of the resilient bonds of family. Thavisouk’s unforgettable journey reminds us of the strength necessary to survive and of the human spirit’s inspiring capacity to adapt, rebuild, and forgive. [Celluloid Dreams]… Expand

Director: Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jonathan Curiel

A riveting works of humanism. Read full review

David Edelstein

The film is lyrical, expansive, unbearably beautiful. Read full review

Ty Burr

Self-consciously poetic and shot within a luscious inch of its life, the film's also an engrossing heartbreaker: a family saga that spans continents, political administrations, and decades of travail to arrive at a harder, wiser place. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

A powerful account of how the American dream became a nightmare for one Laotian family. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Though an admirable attempt to allow the characters to tell their own story in their own voices, docu may be a bit too freely associative, as it becomes difficult at times to identify individual characters... Picture's second half, which proceeds in a more linear fashion, is resolutely gripping. Read full review

A.O. Scott

The result is imperfect, but its roughness is entirely consistent with the way the filmmakers understand the traumatic experiences of displacement, loss and deprivation. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

The past-and-present layering is a lot more resonant -- and less sketchy -- than the film's theme of ''betrayal,'' both familial and governmental. Read full review

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User Reviews

MaciekK.

Jan 24, 2009

What an amazing film. Usually I feel uncomfortable with this level of intimacy in a documentary. I think it's a credit to Ellen Kuras and Thavi that intimate and heart rending revelations are presented naturally without a hint of voyeurism. There seems to be a bond between them and What an amazing film. Usually I feel uncomfortable with this level of intimacy in a documentary. I think it's a credit to Ellen Kuras and Thavi that intimate and heart rending revelations are presented naturally without a hint of voyeurism. There seems to be a bond between them and Ellen and the family which allows for a seamless insight into the families experience. I am an immigrant too, but arrived under very different and privileged conditions. Nevertheless, there are so many universal truths, feelings, and experiences depicted in the film that will resonante with anyone.GO SEE IT!!!!!!! It's a 10+… Expand

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JonC.

Mar 1, 2009

A truly surprising and moving documentary. It goes unexpected places and makes unexpected connections.

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NancySoir

Apr 10, 2011

It really was a powerful experience to see this film at Sundance. Had the opportunity to meet the director and felt equality touch by his sincerity. Should be a must seen film for young audiences and especially for those first or second generation of immigrant children. It tell a lot aboutIt really was a powerful experience to see this film at Sundance. Had the opportunity to meet the director and felt equality touch by his sincerity. Should be a must seen film for young audiences and especially for those first or second generation of immigrant children. It tell a lot about inter generational and cultural merges.… Expand

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