A new feature film exploring the hidden trauma of America’s “secret war” in Laos is seeking co-producers and distributors at the Tokyo Gap Financing Market, with production scheduled for 2026.
“Rhizome,” directed by Jakrawal Nilsamrong (Rotterdam winner “Vanishing Point” and Venice winner “Anatomy of Time”) and produced by Chachai Chaiyong (“Manta Ray”), tells the story of Na, a Lao-American woman who returns to her homeland in 1994 to join a Vietnam War-era unexploded ordnance disposal team. As Na falls in love with Bua, the leader of a local team, she confronts the violent legacy that continues to shape the scarred landscape.
The film begins in 1974 with civil war refugees fleeing towards the Thai border. When a young girl witnesses a shocking incident involving her father and an American helicopter crash, the memories haunt her well into adulthood. Twenty years later, Na’s mission to work with Bua to remove a bomb from the land comes into conflict with outsiders, including David, an American searching for a missing soldier, and Big D, a troubled local. A fatal explosion causes Na to look back on her fragmented memories and her father’s wartime past.
For Nilsamron, this title has symbolic weight. “‘Rhizome’ refers to a non-linear, interconnected, hidden subterranean root system. It symbolizes both trauma and survival, as well as the buried legacies of war and the invisible network of memory, pain, and resilience that connects Laos, its people, and my character’s journey to wholeness,” says the director.
The film is rooted in the history of America’s “secret war” in Laos from 1964 to 1973. “This film is about how we can build a future out of the ruins,” Nilsamron explains. “How can we re-inhabit spaces shaped by violence after they have become the basis of our existence? This work aims to resonate with the urgency of a forgotten history. It is a reminder that although Laos remains the most bombed country in the world, people continue to live and rebuild, and life sprouts again from the most damaged soil.”
This work faced unique challenges as it deals with sensitive subject matter. “The research and writing process for accuracy was particularly difficult because the film deals with history and an actual bomb squad that is still active today,” Nilsamlong said. “We needed a foundation of trust to gain permission to access and film on location in Laos.”
The director spent considerable time on set to ensure authenticity. “We wanted to tell the story of Laos from an insider’s perspective, so we spent a significant amount of time on the ground, revisiting locations and refining the script,” he says. “Our intention is not to seek responsibility and re-expose the past, but to maintain a delicate balance between historical truth and sensitivity.”
Producer Chai Yong acknowledges the project’s commercial challenges, but expresses confidence in its potential. “While both the project’s subject matter and the director’s vision are appealing, development and financing remain challenging,” he says. “As a producer, I strive to bridge the gap between art house and commercial films to reach a broader audience, and I believe Rhizome has the ingredients and potential to achieve that goal.”
The team aims to fill the remaining funding gap in the market. “We are looking for co-producers and distributors to join this project,” Chaiyon says. “Our goal is to close any remaining funding gaps and be ready for production in 2026.”
