Dust of Life

January 18th 1995
Poster
1975 : The Communist Army defeats the South Vietnamese Forces, Saïgon falls while U.S. Troops leave hurriedly. Many of these American soldiers leave a woman behind and children as well. Son is one of this Amerasians. Two months after the fall of Saïgon, the new government launches a large “reeducation program” for the children roaming about the streets of the city. They will be placed in “work camps”. Taken away by the Bo-Doï, Son and other children crammed into trucks, then hauled across the country to the Nothern High Plains, in search of a camp. Once at the camp, the kids are forced to work at clearing the land. They are submitted to revolutionary order and ethics. Son and his three friends, Bob, Shrimp and Little Hai end up with a crazy bet : build a raft in order to escape and reach … the USA ! Nothing will stand between the kids and their impossible dream : neither taunts nor blows, nor the Greaser, not even being thrown into the Tiger Cage. And above all, not Fanta Hill, whose terrible secret Son will discover. Then begins the crazy runaway in raft…

Production

3B Productions (France) , La Sept Cinéma (France), Salon Films Prod. Ltd (Hong Kong), TV München (Allemagne), Paradise Films (Belgique), IVP (Algérie), Hamster Productions (France).

Distribution

Tadrart Films, Swift.

Award(s)

1994

Rencontres Cinématographiques de Cannes
– Grand Prize
– Prix CICAE

Festival International du Film de Fort Lauderdale
– Best film

Festival International du Film de Gand
– Official Competition

Festival des Films du Monde de Montréal
– Official Competition
Festival du Film de Telluride
– Sélection Officielle

1995

Honoree Award “Youth in film”
– Meilleur Acteur dans un film Étranger

1996

Oscars
– Nomination Meilleur Film Étranger

Golden Globe
– En compétition Meilleur Film en langue étrangère