The Betrayal

The collateral impact of America's secret war in Laos is reflected in the extraordinary story of one family's struggle for survival – in Laos and later in the U.S. Filmed over the course of 23 years, The Betrayal is an exquisitely crafted tale of a country and a family torn asunder, and the long and painful process of repair. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. clandestinely operated in the neighboring country of Laos. By 1973 a secret air campaign had dropped more bombs on Laos than were used during WWI and WWII combined. At the age thirteen, Thavi escapes across the Mekong River to Thailand, and is joined two years later by his mother and seven of his siblings. After living in a refugee camp the family seeks asylum in America. (96 min.)