themes of the film

Rating: 8/10 (18 December 2008)

Yes this movie deals with the Hmong and other races. first this movie introduces the Hmong community and some of its culture but Hmong people like all ethnicities including Caucasians can not be described by one view. for example the film describes Hmong as being shamanistic and animist but many Hmong are Christians also. it would not be fair to say all whites are white devils and catholic. of course this film draws out the stereotypes that many people have about Asian Americans as displayed by the jokes in the film. also the film talks about the stereotypical Caucasians that care about nothing but inheriting money and valuables. American materialism in short. their are different types of relationships that the Hmong people in the movie have with Clint Eastwood's character. the younger generation in the movie have a better relationship with Eastwood while the Hmong grandma despises Eastwood's character. and there is a good and debatable reason. in Hmong she says the whites came and lied to us and caused us to lose our homes and our way of life. it is true that during and after the Vietnam war the CIA did recruit and use Hmong soldiers to fight communism as stated in the film. the movie does deal with economic issues of race such as Tao believing that it is impossible for him to go to college and get a job. whether we believe this or not we cannot disagree that there are lingering traces of racism in America. the film does show that by getting to know each other we may not be so different yes different in religion and culture but not in humanity. if you did not know what Hmong is before this movie will give you a limited glimpse into the Hmong because no two hour movie will ever be enough to define any nationality or demographic.