Left by the Ship (2010) User Reviews

A beautiful, moving film with a delicate, non judgmental approach to the subject

[annabelmi-mi · 10/10 · 23 October 2011]

I found this a beautiful, touching movie. Reading the last review posted, I am amazed at how little this person understood about the film. To me, this movie is about sense of loss and desire for belonging and while it concentrates on the most unlucky Amerasians (sons and daughters of sex workers and of Black American soldiers) it delves into a feeling that most of us know, a desire to be loved which is universal. I really don't see any of what you say, for me, the filmmakers just chose to show the most extreme situations to get the message across.

I know a bit about the issue and I know that a lot of the children are born to sex workers, but as an American this truly makes no difference to me, because I am still shocked to understand that these kids- who I consider my brothers and sisters- are not granted a right to become American, even if they are American by blood. Are any of us responsible for the mistakes of our parents?

The film is very well put together, the editing, cinematography and the music are stunning. It really goes straight to your heart, more than it does try to explain things and that is fine with me. I find it very naive to think a documentary should give "objective information" on a topic, because they never do and they can't really. I am a huge documentary fan and this is one of the best I saw this year. The approach is non-judgmental, it does not make anyone responsible for the plight of these children, except, maybe, the global policies which sent our Navy to those islands. It just shows you how other people live in other places and how similar we all our in our needs and longings.

It shows the stories of some of these "Amerasians", not all of them, but seeing the suffering these four are going through, it really makes me want to question the behavior of my country when we send men abroad and which are the collateral damages, even after so long, of the wars we make. I wish there was more that I could do to help these kids out. This is a must see film, it stays with you for days and I am surprised we did not see it at all the major film festivals last year.

Appreciate the effort, but...

[kangkongkernitz · 22 October 2011]

First and foremost, I do appreciate the filmmakers for trying to bring out the issue on the forgotten Amerasians and I must also laud them on the timeliness given that "immigration reform" (more of amnesty than actual reform) is a hot topic in the US nowadays. The effort and concern is really appreciated, however I have issues and mixed feelings about how the film was presented.

Now, for the critique.

The film seems to reinforce the STEREOTYPE that the mothers of the Amerasians are prostitutes. While there are some who were born out of prostitution, not all are. I know someone who does father-searches and according to him, A LOT do know their father's SSNs - reason why fathers were found.

Problems that arise with the reinforcement of the media to stereotype and generalize Amerasians is that the more that they will not be accepted by both societies. The mothers of the Amerasians are going to be stereotype that all they want from a US servicemen is to bring them to good ole USA and they are using the Amerasians as their "ticket". It is also unfair to the fathers who had serious and genuine relationship and had lost touch. One has to remember how communication were prior to 2000.

As they say, if you will limit yourself t a whorehouse, you will get whores. It is the same with the case of the mothers of Amerasians. If you will surround yourself with former prostitutes, that is the one you will get. But a lot of Amerasian mothers were housekeepers, people who worked in restaurants and other establishments in the city, and who worked as clerks inside the base.

Another critique of the film is leaning toward anti-US sentiments than being centralized on the Amerasian experience (which is diverse, as contrary to what the film has shown -- not all Amerasians have those issues and not all people who have those issues are Amerasians themselves). I do not fault the directors. I suspect, it is some of the people they engaged with (not the Amerasians features but the ones interviewed) are the reason behind it. Espousing anti-US sentiments through this film will further hurt the Amerasians. People in the US will likely see it as an attempt to rip off US taxpayers rather than gaining sentiments and empathy for these "left behind Americans".

I wish the filmed too has read more about the Amerasian Act and Citizenship requirements. The Amerasian Act did not give "citizenship" to the Amerasians but greencard. And the Amerasian Act faced with many fraudulent claims in Vietnam to the point that they had to close the program. One more thing: their fathers claiming them does not entitle Amerasians citizenship. It is highly dependent on the legitimization and age of the Amerasian. Even if say, their fathers claim them but the child is over 18, it is almost impossible to give him or her citizenship. The citizenship transmission for children born abroad to one non-US parent is more restricting towards US fathers than US mothers.

Another thing that bothered me is as to why all four cast were Black Amerasians. I understand that they may be facing more prejudice as compared to their White or Hispanic counterpart but it doesn't clearly state as to why. Regardless of intention, it kind of sends off a message that it's usually Black fathers are the ones who abandoned their kids.

I really want to like the film but due to the above given, it is so hard to. I appreciate trying to bring up the issue, but I do not appreciate the politics behind it.

Being one sided on the issue and the obsession with stereotyping that the mothers are prostitutes will hardly get any empathy. Maybe, if they will tell the other side of the story -- fathers who find their children and managed to do but but fall for the crack of the legal technicalities of citizenship transmission, maybe they will have more sympathy especially in this times where legalizing the illegals is a hot topic.