Healing: Journey to Heal War's Scars Through the Lenses of Two Generations of American Filmmakers

Two American filmmakers, two generations. One carries memories, the other carries questions. Together, they embark on a journey to find answers in a land once ravaged by conflict. The documentary Healing follows Robert (Bob) Judson and Dan Aguar, two American filmmakers, as they return to Vietnam to confront history, seek answers never spoken aloud, confront long-buried traumas, and experience deeply transformative revelations.

Returning to Answer Unanswered Questions

Bob Judson is a U.S. veteran who fought in the Vietnam War in 1968. There was always a nagging thought in his mind that he had to return to the land of Vietnam. The opportunity came when he became a journalism professor. He returned to Vietnam twice to produce two documentary films about this country.

Bob Judson

“I was drafted into the army back then, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was very angry, I didn’t think we should be there, and I felt betrayed. So  when I came home, I joined an American veterans’ organization that was against  the war in Vietnam. That was how I dealt with my complex emotions” - said Bob Judson - “… But that doesn’t mean it was easy for me to talk about my time in Vietnam. It took a very long time before I could even begin to talk about it”.

Ten years ago, Bob Judson was working as a journalism professor. His students were young, passionate, aspiring filmmakers, eager to become journalists. They wanted to learn how to tell stories about the world, about conflict, about humanity, and most importantly, how to use their words to create positive change. Bob used his own story from Vietnam as a teaching tool, and that personal narrative became the driving force behind his decision to make the documentary Returning to Vietnam.

Dan Aguar

Dan Aguar — a young American filmmaker — was deeply moved after watching Bob’s film. Born in 1958, Dan grew up during the height  of anti-war protests in the U.S. “When I was six or seven years old, every TV news bulletin was filled with images of the Vietnam War — but always from an American point of view”, Dan  recalls. “I always felt there was more to understand, more stories to uncover”.

The Healing Journey Continues

After his first film, Bob Judson partnered with VTV’s Department of Culture and Entertainment for his second project: Legacy of Peace. This time, his journey with Dan took them to Hanoi, Quang Tri, and Da Nang.

Their first stop was DAVA – the Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange. There, they met Matthew Keenan, a U.S. veteran battling cancer from dioxin exposure who chose to stay in Vietnam and call it his second home. His gentle presence among children with disabilities, alongside his close friend Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, a teacher and Agent Orange victim himself, brought to life the enduring power of compassion and healing.

“When I arrived, my first impression truly took my breath away. The physical deformities these children had to endure were heartbreaking”, said Bob Judson . “But almost immediately, that feeling gave way to something miraculous as we felt the warmth emanating from them and witnessed them building a small, loving community together. Each of them had been affected by the war in different ways, but instead of being consumed by misfortune, they created a world of their own—one filled with love, mutual support, and a pure yet powerful sense of connection. It moved me deeply. Thanks to the staff, the teachers here, and the dedication of people like Matthew Keenan, the experience became truly transformative—one that changed me profoundly”.

In Quang Tri, Bob and Dan continued their journey with Project RENEW, which focuses on educating about and removing landmines and supporting post-war victims. They met Ho Van Lai, a bomb-awareness educator and survivor, and Do Thien Dang, who overcame trauma to leada meaningful life. These meetings left a lasting impression. They observed that Vietnamese people are the real heroes of the post-war story — not mourning endlessly or blaming others, but choosing to live, contribute, and share hope.

“I know the pain and consequences of the war are not over; they are still very much alive and will continue. But  I was overwhelmed by  the extraordinary resilience, kindness, and spirit of the Vietnamese people. This has been an unforgettable experience”, said  Dan Aguar.

As they left Vietnam, Bob and Dan took  with them valuable footage for Legacy of Peace. But more importantly, they carried with them  lasting friendships and a newfound admiration for the Vietnamese people.  Bob Judson believes that, this will make make   the filmmakers proud but will also inspire a stronger sense of community and shared responsibility to support Vietnam on its continued journey of healing and development.