It's estimated that around 30,000 Hmong people died helping the U.S. during the Vietnam War when the C.I.A. recruited Laotian Hmong to fight the communists. The first wave of Hmong refugees who emigrated to the U.S. grappled with survivors’ guilt and, for decades, agonized over human rights violations committed against those left behind, including attacks on unarmed civilians, rape, and torture.
As part of the fourth season of the documentary series America ReFramed David Grabias directed the film "Operation P.O.P.C.O.R.N.” – the Political Opposition Party's Coup Operation to Rescue the Nation. The tale explores the fate of 10 Hmong American leaders and a retired U.S. Army officer who are accused of conspiring to overthrow the communist government of Laos.
The documentary airs May 17, 2016 at 8 p.m. on WORLD Channel and The broadcast will be followed by 14 days of free streaming for audiences across the U.S at www.worldchannel.org/americareframed starting on May 18th.
Filmmaker David Grabiasjoined Valley Edition's Joe Moore to talk about the film. To listen to the interview click play above.
Trailer: