Hoa-Binh (film)

Hoa-Binh is a 1970 French-Vietnamese anti-war drama film directed by Raoul Coutard. It depicts the impact of the Vietnam War on the lives of ordinary Vietnamese civilians, particularly children. The film is notable for its stark realism and its focus on the human cost of conflict, eschewing traditional war movie tropes.

The story centers around a young Vietnamese boy named Hung and his family as they struggle to survive amidst the escalating violence. Hung's father works as a translator for the American forces, providing a complex perspective on the war and its participants. The film portrays the widespread poverty, displacement, and psychological trauma inflicted on the Vietnamese population.

Hoa-Binh won the Prix du Premier Film (Best First Film) at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film's title, "Hoa-Binh," translates to "Peace" in Vietnamese, serving as an ironic counterpoint to the devastating realities depicted on screen. The film is considered a significant contribution to the anti-war cinema of the era, offering a powerful and moving commentary on the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective.