Movie: The Betrayal

By Dan Persons

There's a lot one can do in twenty-three years (hey, look what Dubya managed in eight!). For director/cinematographer Ellen Kuras and her Laos-born collaborator Thavisouk Phrasavath, two-plus decades added up to The Betrayal, a powerful documentary about Thavi's family and how their fates collided with Kissinger's war and a curdled American dream. We sat down with Kuras and Phrasavath to discuss the film's genesis, and the multiple meanings of its title.

Dan Persons Handy Household Hint of the Day: "When an award-winning cinematographer offers to adjust the lighting for your interview, LET HER!"