In this episode we are joined by documentary filmmaker Tran Van Kirk, who’s story highlights reconnecting and reclaiming identity and the journey to self discovery. Kirk takes the initiative to help adoptees and AmerAsians from the Vietnam War with their families, and has paved a way for many individuals in the same situation.
Kirk was born as Trần Văn Hung in DaNang, Vietnam in the summer of 1969 during the height of the Vietnam War. Immediately after being born, he was taken to the Sacred Heart Orphanage on the order of his Vietnamese grandfather, who felt shame from his daughter’s pregnancy by an American military service member. In 1972, he was adopted by a US Army Major that was serving in the Vietnam War and was raised in a wonderful loving adoptive family. After 48 years Kirk was able to wonderfully discover that his birth kin had been living in the US and spent the past few years since 2017 reconnecting to his roots.
Kirk is an award winning Documentary Filmmaker and serves as the Director and Executive Producer for the SEA2C in-house documentary series production, "Intersections". He also serves as the Race Director for the annual Ocean View "Storm the Bay" Race series. This race series benefits the military centric programs of SEA2C. When he's not working, he enjoys long distance running, fishing, surfing, boating, and most importantly of all, quality family time. Through the SEA2C Foundation, Kirk seeks to share his blessings by reuniting war orphans with birth families and veterans separated by the war and to help each find healing from a lifetime of stigmas attached to being a part of that tumultuous time in our history. He is also passionate about giving back to our active-duty military personnel and Veterans who have served honorably in combat to maintain the freedoms that are so often taken for granted.
Preservation and Amplification of Legacies | 3x13
Inspiring Aspiring Filmakers | 3x12
Mother and Son’s Journey of a Thousand Miles | 3x11
The Beauty of Dance | 3x10
Making Changes for the Better | 3x9
Never Too Late To Change | 3x8
Balancing Life as Attorney and Music Teacher | 3x7
Developing Asian Theater | 3x6
Pushing Through Challenges | 3x5
Building Your Own Brand | 3x4
Building UpThe Film Community
The Power of Voice in Comedy
Diversifying Directors | 3x1
Ashlyn So: A Prodigy’s Passions for Fashion and Activism │ 2x40
Pushing Away from the Periphery in Film with Dan Chen │ 2x39
Chris Chan Lee: A Pioneer of Asian American Cinema │ 2x38
Breaking Barriers for AAPI in the Air │ 2x37
Empowerment through Humor with Jiaoying Summers │ 2x36
Sharing Perspectives through Film with Sami Khan │ 2x35
Coming Full Circle to Serve our Country │ 2x34
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