FINDING the VIRGO:
A film about compassion and gratitude
Vietnamese boat refugee, Lauren Vuong, embarks on a decades long search for the heroic captain and crew of a US cargo ship that rescued her at sea at 7-years-old and saved her family and 57 other immigrants from certain death.
SYNOPSIS
Brave 7-year-old Lauren Vuong escaped Vietnam with her family and 57 other refugees on a small wooden fishing boat at the end of the brutal Vietnam War. After 10 days at sea, they were lost and depleted of food, water, and fuel. Death seemed imminent. From seven miles away, a U.S. flagged cargo ship spotted them. The captain ordered their rescue and changed the course of 62 lives forever. Finding The Virgo is the story of Lauren’s decades long search for the heroic captain and crew of the LNG Virgo who saved her life and the lives of the other refugees. This story of compassion and gratitude traces the Vuong family's journey from the shores of Vietnam, through their perilous journey at sea and eventually to their resettlement in America.
Capturing the American Hope and the American Dream, this documentary is a timeless tale of war, desperation, survival, and the serendipitous heroes who embody the best of humanity. A story needed now more than ever before.
ACCOLADES
Winner, Award of Merit, Special Mention - IMPACT Docs Awards
Winner, Gold Winner, Documentary Feature - International Independent Film Awards
Nominated, Best Documentary Director, London International Filmmakers Film Festival
Winner, Social Relevance Award - DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon
Winner, Audience Choice Award - CAAMFest37
SPECIAL SCREENING
The Bui Foundation Presents Finding the Virgo, a film about compassion and gratitude
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Fountain Valley Senior Center
17967 Bushard Street, Fountain Valley, CA
Click HERE for reservations.
Sponsored by: Bui Foundation
NEWS
May 2021 - Oak Leaf News review here.
April 2021 - Thank you to the Fleishhacker Foundation for their grant to support our film
April 2021 - Our filim is now available at The Princeton University Library
April 30th, 2021 - Screening for Sonoma State University
April 2021 - Finding the Virgo has completed an agreement with NETA (National
Educational Television Association) to make Finding the Virgo available to 277 public televion stations Nationwide!
January 2021 - We have received a generous donation from Chad and Tenah Dyer
which will allow Finding the Virgo to continue marketing.
Past Screenings
London International Filmmakers Festival, London, England
Seattle Asian American Film Festival, Seattle, WA
DisOrient Asian American Film Festival, Eugene, OR
Ethnografilm Festival, Paris, France
KQED Public Television, San Francisco, CA
CAAMFest 37, San Francisco, CA
Museum of Chinese America, New York City, NY
Viet Film Fest, Orange County, CA
Silicon Valley Asian American Film Fest, San Jose, CA
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Philadelphia, PA
TESTIMONIALS
It is an amazing story of immigrants and of Americans at their very best. It brought out every emotion conceivable, ending with pride for the America it represents. Bravo!
Shyam Lal
What a moving story of bravery and compassion. I loved it. Thanks for making this important film.
Dr. Byron Lee
Somehow, in their hearts, the crew of the Virgo knew that the scared and wet seven year old little girl they pulled out of the sea would grow up to be an exceptional woman, one who would not forget them.
Richard E. Bonilla
BOOK A SCREENING
Finding the Virgo is available for screenings and events at universities, conferences, nonprofits, boardrooms, institutions, schools, churches and beyond. If you want to bring this extraordinary film to your community or organization please email us.
Educational Licenses are now available to schools and universities. Inquire here!
GALLERY
PRESS
FILMMAKERS
Producer Lauren Vuong is a Vietnamese American refugee and naturalized U.S. citizen. She attended UC Berkeley where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. Lauren earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law and practices in San Francisco, CA. She is a mother of two and a dedicated advocate for the preservation of Vietnamese American history through the arts and literature. Finding the Virgo is Lauren's first documentary.
Director Barre Fong is a fourth generation Chinese American and San Francisco native. Barre’s activities as a filmmaker and community activist is an embodiment of his grandfather’s dream of preserving his own experience as a turn-of-the-Century Chinese immigrant. He previously served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Chinese Historical Society of America and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Lick-Wilmerding High School. He has produced and directed short films about the Asian American experience since 2013.
SUPPORT THE FILM
You can be part of Team Virgo by supporting our efforts!
Tax deductible donations can be made through the Chinese Historical Society of America.
Please designate your donation for Finding the Virgo.
Federal Tax ID#94-6122446
Stream now or buy a digital copy here.
Order a DVD ($25 including shipping) here.