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Operation Babylift: the Lost Children of Vietnam

Director: Tammy Nguyen Lee

Synopsis: "Operation Babylift" was a $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country to protect them from the impending threat of the Communist Regime. Coined by some as "one of the most humanitarian efforts in history," it was also plagued by lawsuits and political turmoil. Even with the best intentions, these adoptees grew up facing a unique set of challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis. Nearly 35 years later, this award-winning documentary takes a candid look at a significant, yet untold event as seen through the eyes of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, showing a contemporary look at Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today through the eyes of the adoptees themselves. Through honest and emotional testimonials, it uncovers the "lost" stories of the adoptees and who they have become as adults, revealing their compelling struggles and triumps, and giving them an opportunity to share their journey from their own perspective and make peace with their controversial past.