Zoom-in Online

In the 23 years time it took to finish The Betrayal, cinematographer Ellen Kuras DP’d over 30 films and the family of Thavi, the subject of the film, went through euphoric highs and spirit crushing lows as they struggled to adapt to their meager setting in Brooklyn, New York after being displaced from their home country of Laos.  Thavi expresses his desire to contribute to American society by leaving a story on the pages of history and The Betrayal is a story worth remembering.  The directorial debut of Kuras is a powerful and sometimes painful look at the battle against cultural dilution while simultaneously furthering the prospect of peaceful reconciliation.  The efforts of Kuras and Thavi have resulted in the film’s inclusion on the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary Feature.