Thaos Library Official Trailer from Elizabeth Van Meter on Vimeo.
AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY THAO’S LIBRARY OPENING AT AMC INDEPENDENT THEATRES NATIONWIDE ON OCTOBER 16th
As America marks 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War, Thao’s Library explores the complex relationship between two women from opposite sides of the planet. One Vietnamese, and ravaged by Agent Orange exposure; the other American, and drowning in depression after her sister’s unexpected death. United by a photo and a simple request, they forge an unlikely sisterhood, transcending language and culture.
Thao’s Library won the AUDIENCE AWARD at Geena Davis’ inaugural Bentonville Film Festival, championing women and diversity in media and with it the top prize of distribution with ARC Entertainment. Thao’s Library is now slated to open on October 16th across 20 screens in 19 major US cities at AMC Independent Theatres. Following the theatrical run, the film will have shelf placement at Walmart stores and will be available on VOD and digital platforms.
BFF’s partnerships with companies like founding sponsors Coca Cola and Walmart and with AMC Theatres enable the Festival to offer women and minority filmmakers the opportunity to share their stories with a broad audience in a positive and proactive way and help BFF achieve its objective to significantly increase the commercial value of content that reflects the world we live in.
Elizabeth Van Meter, the film’s director/writer/producer and 1st time feature filmmaker said, “I want this film to inspire people who might feel as though they have little to offer and to encourage them to reconsider. As technology shrinks our planet, we realize more and more that we are citizens of the world – sisters and brothers united in the human experience,” she said. “I invite people to embrace the idea that they can be of service to humanity with whatever gifts they’ve been given and in reaching out to help others, we can actually feed ourselves.”
THAO’S LIBRARY will be premiering nationwide in AMC Independent Theatres on October 16th, for a 1-week run showing multiple times daily, in the following cities/theaters:
- Boston: Boston Common 19
- New York: Empire 25 & Palisades 21
- Philadelphia: Neshaminy 24
- Washington DC: Hoffman 22
- Pittsburgh: Waterfront 22
- Chicago: River East 21
- Dallas: Firewheel 18
- Houston: Studio 30
- Miami: Sunset 24
- Orlando: Disney 24
- Tampa: Veterans 24
- Los Angeles: Burbank 8
- San Diego: Fashion Valley 18
- Phoenix: Deer Valley 17
- San Francisco: Metreon 16
- Seattle: Alderwood 16
- Denver: Westminster Promenade
- Kansas City: Town Center 20
- Minneapolis: Southdale 16
Forty years after the Fall of Saigon, a young Vietnamese woman is among the Vietnam War’s uncounted casualties. Born near fields where American planes sprayed Agent Orange, Thao lives with severe physical deformities. Halfway around the world, a woman in New York is struggling to cope after the sudden death of her famed younger sister. In the midst of her crippling depression, a friend shows Elizabeth a black-and-white photograph from a recent trip abroad. The image haunts Elizabeth. It shows Thao sitting in a wheelchair outside a shed that houses pig feed, fertilizer — and books. Despite her disabilities, Thao had set up a makeshift library for children in her village. The photographer who captured the image had asked, “If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?” Thao replied, “Three hundred dollars, so I could buy more books.” Through this simple request, Thao and Elizabeth are brought together, forging an unlikely sisterhood, transcending language and culture. The two women reflect on the past and confront the present, changing both lives forever.
