92 ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON THE OSCARS TO RECONSIDER VIETNAM’S FILM SUBMISSION RED RAIN
Civil society groups express concern that Vietnam’s official Oscar entry “Red Rain” presents a selective account of history
“Oscar recognition should not become a tool for legitimizing revised or politicized histories,”— the letter states.
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / — Ninety-two Vietnamese civil society organizations have co-signed a collective letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), urging the Academy not to endorse Vietnam’s official submission, Red Rain (Mưa Đỏ), for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
The signatories express concern that Red Rain serves as a state-aligned production and risks presenting a one-sided interpretation of historical events. They caution that such recognition could marginalize other perspectives and experiences related to the Vietnam War.
The letter highlights the following points:
– State Involvement and Narrative Control
The film is closely associated with the Vietnamese regime’s official narratives. The organizations argue that recognition may lend international credibility to a politically curated account.
– Discrepancies with Historical Record
The Vietnam War is among the most extensively studied conflicts of the 20th century. The letter asserts that Red Rain omits significant events and perspectives, particularly those of Vietnamese communities who opposed communist rule.
– Impact on Collective Memory
The war claimed the lives of countless civilians, alongside soldiers from both the United States and the Republic of Vietnam. The signatories emphasize that cinematic storytelling carries a responsibility to reflect these sacrifices with accuracy and respect.
– The Academy’s Role
The Academy’s awards carry influence in shaping international perceptions of film. The letter stresses that honoring works which may be viewed as historically selective or politically influenced could undermine the Academy’s role as a standard-bearer of artistic integrity.
The 92 organizations respectfully call on AMPAS to reconsider Red Rain’s submission, ensure transparency regarding its affiliations, and uphold the Academy’s commitment to historical and artistic integrity.
1. Alliance for Vietnam’s Democracy
2. Air Force Association, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Northern California
3. Alumni Association of the National Military Academy, Northern California
4. Alumni Association of the National Police Academy, Northern California
5. Alumni Association of the Political Warfare College, Northern California
6. Alumni of Quoc Hoc and Dong Khánh High School – Southern California
7. An Giang Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association, Northern California
8. Anh Thư Volunteer Choir
9. Antelope Valley Vietnamese Association
10. Armor Corps Association, Northern California
11. ARVN & National Police Next Generation
12. Asian American Center, Northern California
13. Association of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners New Orleans / LA
14. Association of Rural Development Officials, Northern California
15. Bach Dang Naval Association, Northern California
16. Ben Tre Fellow Countrymen Association
17. Bloc 8406 International
18. Communauté Vietnamienne au Canada- Région de Montréal
19. Dien Hong Era Association, Northwest United States
20. Đa Hiệu Youth and Teenagers Group, Northern California
21. Ðại Việt Nationalist Party.
22. Federation of Vietnamese American Communities of The USA
23. Foreningen for Vietnamesiske Flyktninger i Norge
24. Former Political Prisoners Association, Northwestern United States
25. Former Political Prisoners Association, Sacramento
26. Former Political Prisoners Association, San Francisco
27. Former Political Prisoners Association, Stockton
28. Free Viet Labor Federation
29. Friends of the National Police Force Association, Northern California
30. Goodwill Brothers Group, Northern California
31. HO Association, San Francisco
32. Interfaith Council of Vietnam, Overseas Office
33. Joint Reserve Officers Schools of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam
34. Lac Viet Poetry and Literature Group
35. Marine Corps Association, Northern California
36. Milpitas for Vietnam’s Freedom
37. Military Police Association, Northern California
38. Minh Van Foundation
39. Nha Trang Khanh Hoa Fellow Countrymen Association
40. Ninh Thuan Fellow Countrymen Association, Northern California
41. Northern California Community Service Committee
42. Northern California Voters League
43. Organization of Associations of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners
44. Overseas Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Veterans Group
45. Overseas Vietnamese Women’s Association, Northern California
46. Pulau Bidong Refugees Friendship Association
47. Quang Nam Da Nang Fellow Countrymen Association, Northern California
48. Quang Ngai Overseas Friendship Association, Northern California
49. Quang Tri Fellow Countrymen Association, Northern California
50. Rangers Association, Northern California
51. Red Beret Family Association, Northern California
52. Regional and Militia Forces Association, Northern California
53. Republic of Vietnam’s Association in Oregon
54. South Vietnamese Marine Corps Association
55. Tay Ninh Fellow Countrymen Association, Northern California
56. Tay Son Binh Dinh Fellow Countrymen Association, Northern California
57. The Air Force Friendship Association in Oregon
58. The Former Infantry Cadets’ Friendship Association of Thu Duc Academy in Oregon and South Washington
59. The Marines Friendship Association in Oregon
60. The Navy Friendship Association in Oregon
61. The New Jersey Vietnamese American Community Association
62. The Former Cadet Association’s National Military Academy of Republic of Vietnam in Oregon and Southern Washington
63. The Republic Of Vietnam Next Generations
64. The Republic Of Vietnam Next Generation in Oregon
65. Thu Duc Officer Corps, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Northern California
66. Trần Hưng Đạo Foundation, Seattle
67. United Association of Former Soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Northern California
68. United Council of Vietnamese Homeland and Overseas
69. United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California
70. Van Lang Vietnamese Language Center, Northern California
71. Vietnam Democracy Center
72. Vietnam Democracy Federation
73. Vietnam Human Rights Network
74. Vietnamese American Community of Central Virginia
75. Vietnamese American Community of MD, VA & Washington, D.C.
76. Vietnamese American Community of South Florida
77. Vietnamese American Community of The USA
78. Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma
79. Vietnamese American Journalists Association
80. Vietnamese Americans for Human Rights
81. Vietnamese Community of Oregon
82. Vietnamese Association of Jacksonville
83. Vietnamese Community of Pomona Valley
84. Vietnamese Community of Sacramento
85. Vietnamese Media Association, Northern California
86. Vietnamese National Support Activity Group
87. Vietnamese Nationalist Party
88. Vietnamese Senior Citizens Association, Bay Area, Northern California
89. Voice of Freedom for Vietnam in Oregon
90. Women Soldiers Association, Northern California
91. Women Soldiers Association, San Jose
92. Yellow Flag Youth Student Group, Northern California
Coordinator
Alliance for Vietnam’s Democracy
info@allianceforvietnamsdemocracy.org
