After the fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese “boat people” escaped their homeland by sea in a desperate attempt to find refuge. Many sought to build new lives along the Gulf Coast, finding available work and a favorable climate comparable to coast-rich, subtropical Vietnam. But the sudden influx of Vietnamese led to strained tensions in many fishing communities. In 1979, a fatal shooting in the small Texas fishing village of Seadrift ignited a maelstrom of hostilities against Vietnamese refugees along the Gulf Coast.

What really happened during this conflict, which was rife with rumors and false assumptions? How does a community recover and heal after a deep rift that erupted in violence? SEADRIFT examines this turbulent yet little-seen chapter of American history and explores the consequences that continue to reverberate today. The film’s director, Tim Tsai, will join us for an intro and Q&A following the screening. This screening is free and open to the public but requires a ticket reservation.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.