Song of Earthroot is a feature-length documentary that centers on Kinh T. Vu, a gay Vietnamese American music education professor, who was adopted at the end of the American War in Vietnam. We follow Kinh as he returns to Vietnam for the 37th time in 11 years as he reclaims his story by writing his first song, titled “Việt Nam, Tôi Xin Lỗi” (I’m Sorry, Vietnam).

This story is not about an adoptee’s search for birth parents, blood belonging, or adopted belonging. Nor is it about the “heroism” of the West for saving kids via adoption - that white saviorism is best left for another author. Instead, this film is a yearning to re-assimilate and reconnect to roots, even in his middle age. Kinh attempts a rejection of the Western socialization forced upon him when he was adopted, paired with much deeper reluctance or perhaps inability to do so. There is guilt, driven by shame. There is delusion, driven by ego. There is the universal struggle to self actualize desperately as he grows older but fights to remain young at heart. Through song and conversation, we follow Kinh as he writes what he feels is the last piece of the puzzle before he can buy a one way ticket to return Home.