Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision

I sat down with this film knowing that Maya Lin was the creative force behind the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. What Freida Lee Mock's brilliant documentary shows is how difficult it was for her design to become reality. Not only did she compete with over 1,400 other entrants, but opposition to her idea, once selected, was stong and sometimes intentionally cruel.

The film follows Maya throughout her career. Other creations include the Civil Rights Monument in Montgomery, Alabama and a tribute to the women who have attended Yale University. The winner for Best Documentary Feature in 1995, Freida Lee Mock deserves praise for letting Maya and her art speak for themselves. Simply witness the emotional responses of the memorials' visitors, and you'll begin to understand what a treasure Maya is. A wonderful film!

It is so hard to separate the impact of the Viet Nam War Memorial from the tale behind its conception and execution. The memorial itself is so incredibly moving you can only react with incredulity when reminded how much opposition there was to its message and to its author.

People who revel in divisiveness (like Pat Buchanan) are featured among the opposition to this memorial partly on aesthetic and partially on racial grounds (Maya Lin is of Asian, i.e. "gook" heritage, don't you know!).

Her journey is well documented from her original entry into the contest (as part of a self-designed course on funereal architecture at Yale) to her part in the public debate.

Various historical clips are presented along with current analysis by many of the key players in this effort.

Secondary to the memorial itself as a "must see" this movie deserves serious consideration both as a historical documentary and a well-made movie in its own right. Freida Lee Mock's works have impact, are relevant and resonate so well with those who have lived, or want to know more about, the history of the United States in these particular turbulent times.

Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)

*** (out of 4)

Good documentary on architect Maya Lin who at the age of twenty had her work selected to become the Vietnam Memorial. Throughout the documentary we see her original concept and the controversy that followed because many vets thought it was going to be an insult to them and there were many people who objected because of her Asian race. Years later we see the work in progress of the Civil Rights memorial where we watch Lin as she tries to come up with a new design and make sure her vision gets across. MAYA LIN: A STRONG CLEAR VISION won the Best Documentary Oscar and while it's not a masterpiece it's at least very entertaining and it really gives one a great look at all the issues that went into the Vietnam memorial. I thought the documentary really did a very good job at showing the entire process that went from selecting the person to do the memorial and then we get into the controversy that followed. I liked the fact that the documentary didn't just show the good stuff but instead showed the controversial aspects of the work and call out some of the people who said some questionable things about the creator not because of a lack of talent but because she was a woman, young and Asian. Through archival footage we get to see a lot of this back and forth heat and it really makes you see how questionable a lot of it was. The Civil Rights stuff doesn't take up too much time but it's respectfully done and it's nice having Lin talk about the creation. We also get a brief bio on Lin, which gives some good information. With all of that said, the strongest moment of the film happens when we get to see various Vietnam vets reactions to the monument.

This documentary was really fantastic. I was so moved by it. I was astonished and amazed to learn that Maya Lin's design was picked from so many -- her impressionistic pastel drawings and handwritten text won over so many others. That the board had such a vision to pick hers was truly astounding. That a 20 year old would have such vision is also truly moving and amazing. I've always been moved to tears when I see the Vietnam memorial-- now it means so much more to me having heard Maya Lin's explanations behind how she conceptualized it. A black gash in the earth, with the names in chronological order. It all makes so much sense. Bravo to all those who made her vision a reality. It really is a monument for the ages.

This movie is a wonderful look at a very talented architect and designer. It gives us a glimpse of the young woman who challenged the national powers that be in pushing her vision of the Vietnam War Memorial. This film is much more inspiring than a movie about some kids pursuing their goal of being the best ball bouncer.