*Free and open to public
Jimmy in Saigon is a feature documentary by Los Angeles-based filmmaker Peter McDowell and executive producer Dan Savage. Originally from Illinois, Peter chronicles the story of Jim, his eldest brother, and a Vietnam War veteran. In 1972, when Jim was 24 and Peter was only 5, Jim died under mysterious circumstances while living as a civilian in Saigon.
Through over 200 of Jim’s letters, candid interviews with Jim’s friends and family, and filming of the truth-seeking journey that led him across the United States, Vietnam, and France, Peter creates an elegiac work that examines grief, family secrets, war, drug use, sexuality, and healing, amounting to a celebration of a short but powerful life.
(Peter McDowell | 2022 | 89 minutes)
Both Peter and Jimmy are Urbana-Champaign natives, and both graduated from University of Illinois High School (Uni High) in Urbana. Peter received his BA in French at the University of Illinois in 1989.
Co-sponsored by The Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, The Yuen Tze Lo and Sara De Mundo Lo Scholars Studio Fund, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Any content or views expressed in the material showcased are those of the author(s) or creator(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
