Director’s Statement
Inspired by a profound comment from a fellow Vietnam War veteran—“He was just like me. Trying to get home,”—I set out on a journey from the present to the past to find related stories from all sides of the war. Just Like Me is more than just a historical account; it is a quest to recover fragmented, buried personal stories from American, North Vietnamese, and South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians alike.
Shying away from combat and politics, the film focuses on cross-cultural connection, empathy, and topics such as soldiers who were artists, musicians, and saving the life of an enemy combatant.
Accolades & Recognition
“Recipient of the Regional Emmy® Award for Outstanding Historical/Cultural Documentary.”
- PBS: Distributed nationally across public television networks via NETA and featured on PBS Passport.
- Official Selection: Featured at film festivals, museums, universities, and veterans events.
- Invited screening: The National Archives McGowan Theater in Washington, D.C.
- Critical Acclaim: Named one of the Best Documentaries of 2022 by Video Librarian.
Institutional Underwriters
This documentary was made possible through the generous support of the Indiana University New Frontiers Grant-in-Aid Program, the Indiana University Retired Faculty Grant-in-Aid Program, Indiana University Veterans Support Services, and Smithville Fiber.
