MAI KHOI & THE DISSIDENTS (2019) DOC NYC 2019

The film opens when Vietnamese singer and songwriter Mai Khoi prepares to leave her home before the release of her latest album. She is leaving because she knows that her battles with the Vietnamese government are going to escalate when the album is released. She is taking a stand against the government which she feels is oppressive. The film then flashes back and becomes a portrait of the singer and how she came to be in that place.

This is an excellent look at one woman's fight for basic human rights being squashed by the government. We watch as she goes from darling to pain in the side of the Vietnamese to the point where they intentionally leave her off the ballots for the Parliamentary seat she was running for. It is an inspiring story about how one person can make a difference.

Best of all if you don't care for the politics you can see this for the music. While I don't speak Vietnamese, I still enjoyed Khoi's music which fills the film from start to finish.

One of the great unexpected finds at DOC NYC the film is worth seeing.

MAI KHOI & THE DISSIDENTS plays again at DOC NYC tomorrow. For more information and tickets go here.