Episode 2 of Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta, which aired last night on SBS packed a real punch. We heard more from Tony Hoang and his mother, also from Son Nguyen and his son. In particular, Son Nguyen’s agonising breakdown at the end of this episode sent the audience and twitterverse wild with empathy. At one stage, Nguyen was the top trending topic in Sydney and number 4 nationally on twitter according to trendsmap. Here are just two of the comments on twitter:
#onceuponatimeSBS was a very touching episode tonight. I can feel the fathers pain as he broke down on TV. 🙁 – @bluesoleli
Wow, #onceuponatimeSBS – brilliant. I shed tears for each parent & their feelings of failure. Beautifully produced – @thesuzchef
Of the three episodes, this one was the most gritty and darkest. Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta tells the Vietnamese refugee story in Cabramatta chronologically so I guess we had to go through the dark days before we can get to sunny ones. This is how I’d summarise each ep:
- Ep 1 Dislocation: the Vietnam War ends and Malcom Fraser’s decision to accept large numbers of refugees from Vietnam presents the first real challenge to the White Australia policy
- Ep 2 Crime: the family unit breaks down, lack of support in an unfamiliar land leads to an escalation of crime in Cabramatta
- Ep 3 Redemption: a broken and battered Cabramatta community speaks out, fights back and in the process become Australians
After episode 2, it may be impossible to see how things could improve, the community does fight back to claim their rightful place in Australia. Watch the remarkable transformation this coming Sunday on SBS One (English), SBS Two (Vietnamese) 22nd January 2012, 8.30pm.
Click on the video above to view a short promo.
Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta Ep 3 (Final)
Sunday, 22nd January 2012, 8.30pm
SBS One (English) and SBS Two (Vietnamese)
Disclosure: I’m an advisor to this documentary and also appear in it. I also work for SBS, although in a different division.
An incredibly moving and eye-opening documentary – growing up in Sydney in the 70s and 80s, we only ever observed what was happening in Cabramatta through the news. Such a long and arduous journey for the Vietnamese people who came here, looking for a new life. Thank you for sharing your story with us, and for your unrelenting bravery. You’re an inspiration to us all!
AND you’re a foodblogger, how cool is that? 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to give me the lovely feedback. Yes I love food!
What a brilliant documentary and what an inspiration you are! Your dedication to your community bought tears to my eyes.
Many thanks for taking the time to write, Katherine.
I’m ashamed to say, as an Ausralian (Melbourne born and raised) that I had no idea at all of the enormity of challenges facing the community of Cabramatta for over 2 decades. It was heartbreaking to watch, I cannot imagine the heartache of LIVING it.
There is clearly something special about a young man who stood up for his people to help facilitate such badly needed change. Australia….Parliament in particular, needs more people like you:) Well done Thang, a shining light! Thank you!
PS, I looked you up because of the show, to see what you are doing now – what a joy to find a delicious looking foodie blog:P
Hi Coby, thanks for the comment, but the politics is in the past now 🙂 These days as you now know, I’m about noodlies food blog.