Summary

In 1983, my mother was tragically murdered by a fellow Vietnamese refugee. Four decades later, I am embarking on a journey of redemption and understanding. This effort involves seeking closure through restorative justice dialogue with the man who took her life and sharing my journey through a documentary film called SEA ROSE ASHES. The film will tell the unfolding story of restorative justice, the repatriation of her ashes to Vietnam in the fall of 2024, and my second return to Vietnam at the beginning of 2026. That second return documents the refugee boat voyage my mother and I undertook in 1981. With this project, I seek not only personal healing and moral transcendence, but also to explore universal themes of justice, memory, trauma, and forgiveness.

What We’re Raising Funds For:

1. Restorative Justice with the Responsible Party

After decades of silence, I have been pursuing dialogue with the man responsible for my mother’s death in the hopes of finding understanding, acceptance, and closure. While our efforts have yet to bear fruit, we hold firm to the belief that, through persistence and open-mindedness, there will be a right time and a right way to break through. This process requires ongoing research, third-party mediation, legal counsel, independent investigation, and outreach efforts in coordination with restorative justice and conflict resolution professionals.

2. Production, Postproduction, Festival Submissions, Community Engagements

With the return to Vietnam completed in early 2026, we have successfully retraced our refugee boat journey from the Mekong River out to the South China Sea. We have approximately three weeks of production remaining where we aim to interview the original legal and law enforcement team in my mother’s murder and film narrative sequences that explore the complexities of compassion and redemption. Upon completing production by early 2027, the remainder of the year will be devoted to postproduction, festival submissions, and community engagements aimed at serving those directly impacted by violence.

3. Restorative Justice Work and Screenings for Incarcerated Populations

Through partnerships with organizations such as Portland Community Justice Partnership and Mend Collaborative, we plan to create a special cut of the film for screenings within correctional facilities and restorative justice programs. These screenings will accompany victim impact and surrogate engagements, using storytelling as a vehicle for dialogue, accountability, and reflection. This work will require ongoing creative development and collaboration with our restorative justice partners.

Why This Matters:

Independent projects like ours exist in a shrinking landscape. Currently, public arts funding is rapidly dwindling and institutions like NPR, PBS, and the NEA are all campaigning aggressively for direct-donor support. And while their work is vital, many independent voices like mine will fall through the cracks.

That’s why we turn to you in this strange hour of the American story. When you give to this deeply personal endeavor, you’re helping to carry forward an honest message of peace and hope.

Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to completing this meaningful project. Thank you very much for your time.

With love and gratitude,

Vu

For more information, please visit the links below:

FILM: https://searoseashes.com/

PRODUCTION COMPANY: https://nomenstatua.com/