Customer Reviews

Raise The Bamboo Curtain: Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Travel videos aren't really my cup of tea, but as a former resident of Cambodia and Vietnam (1997) I gave this one a try. What a surprise that Bamboo Curtain turned out to be a balanced and realistic depiction of the contemporary cultures in the region, illustrating both its incredibly beautiful and otherwordly sides, and also a very well-informed view of the dark side (pointing out, for example, that the beggars in Saigon are often paid "employees" of local gangsters and that the city's cyclo drivers are frequently English-speaking former South Vietnamese soldiers now forced to the very bottom rung of the economic ladder). I haven't been to Burma yet, but this video sure makes me want to go. And I know from the Cambodia and Vietnam segments that Burma is probably quite similar to the way it's depicted here. This is not a "where to go, what to eat" sort of video, it really *does* provide practical and, I think, realistic insight into the contemporary cultures of these three countries. It is dated a few years by the "Asian Tiger" mentality - Vietnam's economic growth has in fact been stifled by its monumentally backward Stalinist government - but its a small point in an otherwise very well-done introduction to SE Asia. The narration and introduction by Martin Sheen is a very nice touch.

I am planning a trip to Burma. I found the production quality excellent and the information well presented. I wish that something of this quality was even more recently made. I know Vietnam, having visited in 1999. The Vietnam segment is an excellent view of the people, history, and sights. Much of what is foretold in this 5-year old video is happening today. I can highly recommend this set as part of your learning about these countries.

I thought this video presented all three countries quite well. I was watching it for information on Burma so I was a little disappointed that the Burma segment wasn't longer but that's all right. He did a great job showing us their cultures as well as their tough situations they've delt with or are dealing with today. The only bad thing was occasionally Rick would make cheesy comments! All in all..it's a entertaining and informative film.

I had previously viewed the version of this documentary that has Martin Sheen narrating, and I have to say I prefer that one. Martin Sheen's voice adds a drama to the video that Rick Ray doesn't really communicate. The documentary itself is very interesting, but potential buyers should note that the section on Cambodia is less than 20 minutes long, while the Burma section is around 40 minutes, with the rest being about Vietnam.

As a retired Vietnam era military officer and current 8th grade social studies teacher, I found Rick Ray's documentary of Southeast Asia an absolute necessity for my classroom. His evenhanded portrayal of the former and present situation in Vietnam was remarkable. His all too short segment on Cambodia left me and my students wanting to know more. The odd situation in Myanmar (Burma) was treated with realism and sensitivity. What a great introduction to this area of the world for 8th graders. Honest and beautiful, mysterious but real. This movie helped me achieve my goal in the classroom...The students are now asking important questions about these three countries. Thank you.