40 Years Later: Revisiting the Dangerous Legacies of the Vietnam War (fundraiser)

he Grease Diner will be hosting an in-progress screening and fundraiser for Benjamin Welmond’s Renew Vietnam, a film about Project Renew - an organization removing bombs, mines and other dangerous explosives from the Quang Tri province of Vietnam. The event will take place on July 17th from 6 - 9pm at the Grease Diner in Oakland. In addition to an in-progress screening of the unfinished 20 minute film, there will be a Q & A with director Benjamin Welmond, and the founder of Project Renew, Chuck Searcy. Bill Creighton (head of SF’s Veterans for Peace chapter) will be talking about the legacies, and current fight for institutional support to victims of Agent Orange. As this event is a fundraiser, the Grease Diner will be offering live-screenprinting of Renew Vietnam t-shirts and tote bags, which can be purchased during the event. Proceeds will go towards funding of the film, which is still in post-production. Welmond has been using indiegogo to raise the essential funds for the film, which are needed for a composer, translator and animator. The screening will be an opportunity to get involved and learn about Project Renew.

During the Vietnam War, the Quang Tri province became one of the most heavily bombed places in history, and it is estimated that 800,000 tons of bombs did not detonate as designed. The United States government also sprayed Agent Orange to kill the crops, which utilizes a deadly chemical with severe biological repercussions. These bombs have left a powerful legacy on the area, injuring and killing thousands of unsuspecting civilians. In 2001, The NGO Project Renew was established by Chuck Searcy, a Vietnam Veteran, an active member of Veterans for peace, in order to find ways to make Quang Tri a safer place. Project Renew trains local Quang Tri citizens to work around the clock to disarm leftover explosives, lend support to victims, and educate local populations on how to be alert and aware. In December of 2014, Benjamin Welmond went to the Quang Tri province to film a short documentary about Project Renew, in order to raise awareness of their efforts, and spark discussions on the powerful impact of war.

You can RSVP to the event and invite friends through this facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/379579128905685/) . Sliding scale donations (recommended donation of $5 and up) will be taken at the door. The Grease Diner is located at 6604 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, CA. The Grease Diner is an art gallery, gift shop, and screen printing studio with a DIY feel and radical attitude. Owners, Jon Jon and Laurie are excited to be working with Benjamin Welmond to help him raise the additional funds needed to finish the film while providing a space for folks in the bay area to learn about Project Renew and the aftermath of the Vietnam war. As well as addressing the US’s impact on Vietnam, the film also brings up important questions dealing with the US’s foreign military policy. All are welcome to come to the event, and the Q & A sessions will be an important time to address questions about what the effect of war is.

To donate and see the trailer for the film, please go here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/renew-vietnam-the-documentary#/story

To learn more about the film please see: http://www.renew-thedoc.com