A touching and hopeful film about a medevac helicopter pilot who found peace within himself and with his mortal enemies when he tries to build a peace garden at the Khe Sanh Combat Base where he stationed during the Viet Nam war.

Credits

  • Tinh Mahoney: Writer
  • Tinh Mahoney: Director
  • Tinh Mahoney: Producer
  • Dave Hansen: Key Cast
  • Tinh Mahoney: Music – Film Score
  • Tinh Mahoney: Editing

Specifications

  • Project Type: Documentary
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Runtime: 25 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date: May 10, 2020
  • Production Budget: 20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin: Viet Nam
  • Country of Filming: United States, Viet Nam
  • Language: English
  • Shooting Format: HD and 4k
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Film Color: Color

Director Statement

I am a child of war. I escaped Vietnam when I was 12 years old, days before the fall of Saigon, and went to the US. I remember watching the news and seeing tanks roll into the Presidential Palace. I didn’t understand a single word of what the reporter was saying, but I remember in my heart knowing that I had lost my homeland. Although my body was never damaged by mortars, shrapnel or bullets, I was wounded by that war.
A few years ago I met Dave Hansen, a medevac helicopter pilot, who has spent the last several years seeking reconciliation with former enemies through the creation of a peace garden at Khe Sanh, the very place his unit was stationed during the war.

During a visit to the peace garden site I met veterans from both sides of the conflict. As I walked the Khe Sanh battlefield a whole gamut of emotions ran through me, from being a child of war to being a wounded adult to profound sympathy for the lonely souls still haunting this battlefield. I felt a deep sadness no amount of tears can fully express.
Dave is now in the final stages of his life. I made The Khe Sanh Peace Garden as a film tribute to my friend and in hopes of healing the hearts of many victims of this great tragedy.