Park City filmmaker sheds light on war’s lasting scars in new documentary

Photo: by Naja Pham Lockwood

'I wanted to tell the story of reconciliation 50 years after the fall of Saigon. It’s not about who won or lost the war, but about how we, as the children of that conflict, come to terms with our parents’ trauma.' - Naja Pham Lockwood

PARK CITY, Utah — Filmmaker Naja Pham Lockwood has spent her life navigating the echoes of the Vietnam War, a conflict that forced her family to flee their homeland in 1975. Her latest project, On Healing Land, Birds Perch—formerly titled Portraits of a Photo—offers a deeply personal exploration of war’s intergenerational trauma and the paths toward healing. The film will debut at a private screening on Jan. 26 at the University of Utah.

Lockwood, a Park City resident since 2012, draws inspiration from her own refugee experience to craft the groundbreaking short documentary. Centered around Eddie Adams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph Saigon Execution, the film examines the untold stories of those tied to the image—children of the executed, the executioner, and the civilians affected by the war.

“For me, this journey is about healing,” Lockwood said. “I wanted to tell the story of reconciliation 50 years after the fall of Saigon. It’s not about who won or lost the war, but about how we, as the children of that conflict, come to terms with our parents’ trauma.”

A Childhood Shaped by Trauma

Lockwood’s connection to Adams’ photograph runs deep. She first encountered the haunting image as a young refugee in Boston, where it left a profound impact.

“I had nightmares for weeks after seeing it,” she recalled. “It was so violent, so incomprehensible to me as a child. My father, who knew General Loan [the man in the photo], tried to explain the context, but the trauma stayed with me.”

The film aims to illuminate the complexities behind the image. While the photograph was used to rally anti-war sentiment in the U.S., Lockwood highlights the less visible stories of pain and resilience among those directly affected.

“Eddie Adams always said a photo doesn’t tell the whole story,” she said. “This film is about those hidden stories, about the humanity behind the headlines.”

Healing Through Storytelling

On Healing Land, Birds Perch builds on Lockwood’s previous work with Last Days in Vietnam, a PBS documentary she co-produced with filmmaker Rory Kennedy. That project opened dialogues within the Vietnamese American community, allowing younger generations to confront long-buried family histories.

“This time, I wanted to go further,” Lockwood said. “The Vietnam War isn’t just an American story; it’s a Vietnamese story, a refugee story, and an intergenerational story. How do we, as children of war, heal when our parents never had the chance?”

The short documentary also reflects on the United States’ treatment of its allies during and after conflicts, drawing parallels to modern events like the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

A Utah-Backed Vision

Lockwood credits Utah’s philanthropic community for bringing her vision to life. Prominent supporters include Zions Bank’s Scott Anderson, filmmaker Geralyn Dreyfous, and the Park City Community Foundation.

“Utah is a model for how refugees should be treated in America,” she said. “The support from this community has been overwhelming. It’s proof that storytelling can unite people across divides.”

Looking Ahead

As her first directorial effort, On Healing Land, Birds Perch represents a milestone for Lockwood, who has long championed social impact through her company, RYSE Media. Through powerful storytelling, she hopes to spark meaningful conversations about war, memory, and reconciliation.

“Healing takes generations,” she said. “But there’s hope. This film is about finding that hope and moving forward—together.”

The private screening on Jan. 26 is graciously underwritten by Zions Bank and fiscally sponsored by the Utah Film Center. For more information or to RSVP, visit Eventbrite.