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Ken Burns Turns Camera Next to Vietnam

10- to 12-hour documentary will air in 2016

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 29, 2011 6:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – Ken Burns' next project will wade into the quagmire known as America's "war of lost illusions:" Vietnam. PBS announced the project, already in production, yesterday, reports Time, and expects to air it in 2016. Burns mentioned a Vietnam project in 2007 when promoting The War, but said he wanted to wait until veterans were "at the age where their advancing age will provide them with the kind of perspectives that we've been able to tap into for this film."

“Today, more than four decades after it ended, nearly everyone has an opinion about the Vietnam War, but few Americans truly know its history and there is little consensus about what happened there, or why,” said Burns in a statement. “Our series will shed light both on the history of the war, and on our inability to find common ground about it.”

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns poses at his office in  Walpole, NH, Thursday, April 5, 2007. Burns' new film The War will premiere on PBS in September 2007.
Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns poses at his office in Walpole, NH, Thursday, April 5, 2007. Burns' new film "The War" will premiere on PBS in September 2007.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Producer/director Ken Burns speaks during the PBS portion of the 2010 Summer TCA Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 4, 2010 in Beverly Hills.
Producer/director Ken Burns speaks during the PBS portion of the 2010 Summer TCA Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 4, 2010 in Beverly Hills.   (Getty Images)
In this March 25, 2011 file photo, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns speaks to reporters during a news conference at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
In this March 25, 2011 file photo, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns speaks to reporters during a news conference at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)
Ken Burns' The Civil War first aired in 1990.
Ken Burns' "The Civil War" first aired in 1990.   (Photo: Business Wire)
Filmmaker Ken Burns is shown in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley in Wyoming on Jan. 24, 2009.
Filmmaker Ken Burns is shown in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley in Wyoming on Jan. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
lockhcj
Aug 6, 2012 11:21 PM CDT
Mr. Burns, I am a fan of some of your programs ... When you go with the Vietnam production please go easy and get both sides (as you would normally do) ... From 93-96 I was in a unit called C.I.L.HI (central identification laboratory of Hawaii) We brought back the remains of P.O.W.'s/M.I.A.'S from the past wars dating all the way back to the civil war here in the states but it was mostly in Southeast Asia (Vietnam,Laos&Cambodia) after saying this I have seen a photographed much of Vietnam Which was my job ...(Photographer) And observed their customs and ways they see Americans ... But then again I go back to the U.S. Soldier and I respect them the most after seeing and experiencing what they did ... I could go on for a while but I guess what I am trying to say is do it well like you always do ... And remember those vets did not get a very good welcome home like they should have !!! Thanks for your time C.J.L. D-team
recon68
Mar 29, 2011 8:43 AM CDT
There is a ton of history on the V.N. war, from both sides. Bottom line we the U.S. cut and ran, besides the only aversion to war is the price to be paid, other than that it has been the most successful of all cultural traditions.
kokuaguy
Mar 29, 2011 6:37 AM CDT
[N]early everyone has an opinion about the Vietnam War, but few Americans truly know its history and there is little consensus about what happened there, or why ...."
 

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