Regret to Inform

Regret to Inform is a gripping 1998 American documentary that marks a significant achievement in the spectrum of documentary filmmaking. Directed by Barbara Sonneborn, who also emerges as a central character, the film is an intensely personal exploration of the Vietnam War from the perspective of war widows, primarily American and Vietnamese. The role of Xuan Ngoc Nguyen, a Vietnamese translator, as another focal character further deepens the film's insights into the bitterness of war, its aftermath, and the ensuing process of reconciliation.

The film begins with Barbara Sonneborn's own story, a tragic loss that stems from the Vietnam war. Her husband, Jeff Gurvitz, was killed in action in Vietnam, just a month shy of his 25th birthday. Nearly two decades after her life-altering loss, she embarks on a cathartic journey: to visit the site in Quang Ngai province where her husband met his end. The film thus presents a poignant tale of personal tragedy that sublimely morphs into a universal quest for understanding, healing, and perhaps peace.

The title 'Regret to Inform' stems from the opening phrase of the Department of Defense letter sent to next of kin, a shattering notification of a loved one's death in combat. As a war widow, Barbara Sonneborn marries sensitive storytelling with heartbreaking experiences, offering viewers a first-hand perspective on the tragic aftermath of the war.

Xuan Ngoc Nguyen's role is paramount in the film. As Sonneborn’s translator and guide, she emerges as the film’s second key personality. Having survived the war in Vietnam, where she bore witness to terrible destruction, she brings to the narrative a potent mix of personal insights and poignant commentary. The bond between Barbara Sonneborn and Xuan Ngoc Nguyen strengthens the emotional impact of the film as they navigate through shared grief and introspective journeys.

While the personal narratives ground the film, Regret to Inform is not limited to individual testimonies. What it rather does is carve out a space for collective memory and shared mourning. Sonneborn interviews over 20 war widows - both American and Vietnamese - who serve as living testimonies to the brutal truth of war. Using these candid conversations, the film delves into hitherto unexplored spaces of grief, resilience, and even the processes of healing and forgiveness, thereby emerging as an extraordinary historical document.

Each voice that Sonneborn brings to fore through her film presents an essential perspective on war. Some of the women express their anger towards the government, others grapple with sorrow and loss, and many emphasize the sense of void in their lives. Their shared experiences, albeit nuanced by social, cultural, and geographical differences, stitch together an affecting mosaic of the war's impact on the home front.

The knowledge that the majority of Regret to Inform was shot on location in Vietnam lends a critical authenticity to the film's narrative. Sonneborn's journey to the land that claimed her husband's life serves as the film's emotional core, with hauntingly beautiful shots of Vietnam complementing the narratives of loss and resilience.

The film's simplistic yet captivating storytelling, amplified by its black-and-white format, befits the intensity and gravitas of its subject matter. Interspersed with archival war footage, the film assumes an almost surreal quality as the past and present coalesce to give viewers a glimpse into the ravages of war.

Regret to Inform won multiple awards and accolades for its daring portrayal of war's aftermath on those left behind. Recognized for its empathetic narrative, the film won the Directing Award and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

In conclusion, Regret to Inform is less a documentary and more a narrative woven with grief, introspection, and historical reckoning. It unveils a strikingly intimate portrayal of the Vietnam War from a unique vantage point. Through the perspectives of Barbara Sonneborn, Xuan Ngoc Nguyen, and the widows they encountered, the film becomes a timeless eulogy that echoes with regret but informs with empathy and profound human insights. Regardless of one's thoughts about the Vietnam War, this film provides a deeply moving perspective that demands reflection.