After the second World War, two allied countries became the worst enemies: USSR and USA. The communist
policy taken by the Soviet Union put at stake the capitalist dominion. Therefore the United States, as the icon of the “profit ideology”, entered a disguised war against USSR. In America the phantom of communism spread and in short time fear and suspicion led people’s mentalities.
This climate of tension between the countries was called the Cold War (1947-1991) and lead to a race for mass destruction weapons. In this way it would be extremely dangerous for a direct encounter to occur, that is why this war was fought through smaller conflicts in which each side was supported by either USSR or US. The best-known are the Korea (1950-1953) and the Vietnam (1957-1975) wars.
The Vietnam War is also called the Second Indochina War and took place in Vietname (Southeast Asia) when the communist northern Vietnam invaded the south of the nation in order to unify it under its government headed by the President Ho Chi Minh. Fearing the spread of the regime throughout the neighbour countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos,...) and being aware of the Sovietic support to North Vietname, the United States intervened in the defence of the South. In the end, US’ defeat caused the capitulation of South Vietnam and the unification of the two parts of the country under the communist DRVN (Democratic Republic of Vietnam).
This conflict is very relevant not only for Vietnam but also for american history and the world’s. Connected with the subject many movies were made, exposing different point of view about the war which can provide a good visual insight and explanation on the problem. Between all of them I would like to talk specifically about three: The Quiet America (2002), Good Morning Vietnam (1987) and Forrest Gump (1994).
The Quiet America is the second version of the homonym Graham Greene’s novel. Directed by Phyllip Noyce, the film explores a love story in Saigon, having as a background the politics involved in the growing american intervention in the Indochina War which led to the Vietnam War. The plot focus on the creation of a corrupt militia leader, General Tché, who was supposed to led a third force against the communists. Tché’s takeover of Saigon is justified by terrorists bombings falsely put upon the Viet Minh. In spite of this being a fiction movie, there are proves of similar events occuring in the 1950’s. A critique of the US involvement and of how it was put in motion, showing United States, the preachers of democracy, usurping France’s imperialist role.
Vietnam War is a very delicate subject therefore to make a film in which the main perspective is a comic one is not that easy. Robin Williams does it perfectly in Good Morning Vietnam. Playing the role of an Armed Forces radio presenter he brings humour and joy to the life of his fellow companions that unfortunately have to go to the real war outside. In spite of being a widely known comedy it has something more to add. It’s ethical dimension is reflected on Robin’s friendship with Vietnamits and on the problems created by his superiors based on his unconventional and unpredictable behaviour. This shows us how militaries were trained to became though, insensitive and serious soldiers, seeing all Vietnamits as enemies and having no objective other than indiscriminately killing them.
Despite the belief in a easy victory, United States did not achieve this because of Soviet and Chinese support to North Vietnam and also because of vietcong’s tactics. Theconflict kept on going with massive human loses, nevertheless the country’s plan was to manipulate the public opinion through propaganda (movies, news, myth of the invincible soldier...). The 58,226 american soldiers dead and the 153,303 injured became to much to hide and before the war ended, groups of american started to rise against US participation. Among them were the hippies whose philosophy of life (peace and love) collided with United States policy. An example of these demonstrations (which may have triggered the american retreat) can be seen in In Forrest Gump, when Forrest tries to find Jenny (his loved one). Also the film parodies the ingenuity of some soldiers when going to Vietnam, without knowing what is expecting them.
After returning to their home country, the american veterans suffered discrimination, violence and maltreatment in account of their participation in the conflict. However the USA government did not go back in its bad relations with USSR and the Cold War was not put to an end, culminating in the Cuban Missile Crisis which almost threw the world in a global conflict between the “red forces” and the capitalist countries.