Bomb Harvest

Bomb Harvest is a tragic, yet captivating documentary that takes a hard look into the dangerous, heartbreaking and complicated consequences of war. This 2007 Australian documentary unearths the chilling repercussions of the Vietnam War that still shape and endanger Laos today, long after the roar of the battle cries has faded.

The main characters of Bomb Harvest are not fictional creations but real-life figures: Phonesai Silavan, Laith Stevens, and Linthong Syphavong. Each brings to the film a unique perspective and role, be it as a bomb disposal expert, township inhabitant, or as an innocent child coming of age in a land littered with explosive remnants of war.

The documentary is set in Laos, the most heavily bombed country per capita in history and a country that continues to suffer from the effects of the unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind during the Vietnam War. Bomb Harvest illustrates the alarming reality of numerous bombs that were dropped but never exploded, now lying in wait in the fields, forests and villages across Laos. These bombs, often found by children who incorporate them into their daily games and sell them for their scrap metal without realizing the deadly consequences, present an ongoing danger and humanitarian disaster.

Laith Stevens, an Australian bomb disposal expert who works for the Mines Advisory Group, serves as a central character in the documentary. We witness his incredible bravery and commitment as he faces daily challenges to locate and safely detonate these deadly remnants of war, often detailing his experiences and concerns through personal diary-style narrations.

The film gives viewers an intimate and unfiltered look into Phonesai Silavan and Linthong Syphavong's everyday lives. These two Laotian children often serve as our guides through the Laos countryside, demonstrating the stark reality of growing up in an environment where playgrounds could potentially be minefields laced with dangerous artifacts from a distant war.

Bomb Harvest isn't just a reflection of the past - it's a laser-focused look at current, real-life humanitarian consequences of UXO in Laos. With the use of extensive archival footage, personal accounts, and scenes starkly capturing the present state of life in Laos, the film paints a deeply human portrait of people living in the midst of enduring conflict.

One of the key strengths of Bomb Harvest lies in its tone, which balances the documentary's inherently grim themes with moments of humanity, levity, and insight. Watching Laith Stevens going about his dangerous work with a combination of professional seriousness and offbeat humor gives the documentary a heartbeat. Simultaneously, the scenes featuring the children offer moments of heart-breaking innocence and resilience, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing human cost of war.

Throughout the movie, viewers are confronted with disturbing paradoxes: a nation’s struggle in reconciling its troubled past with the present, children who lose their innocence far too early to the brutal realities of life, and the stark contrast between the beauty of the Laotian landscape and the lethal dangers that lay buried within it.

Recurrent themes of persistence, courage and hope also anchor Bomb Harvest. The documentary doesn't shy away from touching on the story of the Laotian resilience in fighting the aftereffects of war. It emphasizes on the collective effort in battling a crisis that has gone largely unnoticed by much of the world, giving viewers hope for a brighter future.

Directed by Kim Mordaunt and produced by Sylvia Wilczynski, Bomb Harvest provides an incredible insight into a crisis that is far too often overlooked on the global stage. It's a call to action film about a forgotten war and its devastating, enduring effects. Mordaunt and Wilczynski's assured and sensitive direction allows the message to hit home without the need for dramatization.

Although Bomb Harvest is a film filled with raw, everyday horror, it's also a testament to human bravery, endurance, and strength in the face of such horrific adversity. A deeply poignant film, it highlights the power of hope, perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit.

In conclusion, Bomb Harvest sheds light on the festering consequence of a long-forgotten war. It's an evocative presentation of daunting reality that pulls no punches but also leaves space for hope and resilience as it masterfully weaves together a tale of ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances. This documentary leaves its viewers more enlightened about the world and perhaps a little more compassionate towards it.