Y DAM BHU is one of the Montagnards - a group of indigenous people who reside in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The Montagnards, who have resided peacefully in the mountains, living off natural resources, have been in conflict with the communist regime in Vietnam, protesting for rights to their land and their right to practice their preferred religion - Christianity. As a result of their protest and in retaliation for the Montagnard's allying with the U.S. during the Vietnam war and the French during the French occupation, they have been targeted for persecution and torture. The newest refugee of the four in the film, Y DAM BHU has only been in America for seven months, and speaks of the hardships of his daily routine, which involves a strenuously long work day including ESL class, 9-10 hour working shifts as a cook at the Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon Bistro and study time. Compounding this schedule is the time-consuming journey he takes to get from one place to another - involving two bus rides and several long walks - adding another three hours to his already long day. But nothing compares to the constant worries he has for the safety and well-being of his mother and sister who still live in Vietnam, targeted because of their affiliation with Y DAM BHU in America. In the words of Y DAM BHU's employer, TAM, "every Vietnamese person has a story", a statement supported by his and his friend DEAN's recollection of what it was like being a refugee youth in America at the end of the Vietnam war in 1975. Presented in the Vietnamese language, with English subtitles, Y DAM BHU's story is a compelling look at the personal sacrifices young activists make for the sake of the betterment of their people.

Montagnards

In February 2001, thousands of indigenous minorities from Vietnam's central highlands, known collectively as Montagnards, lead peaceful demonstrations in protest of the ethnic persecution, religious repression, and denial of land rights by the Vietnamese government. In reaction to the protests, Vietnamese officials sent thousands of police to disperse the demonstrators and, in the weeks following, arrested dozens of Montagnards, often using torture to forcibly elicit confessions and statements of remorse from protest organizers. During this time, the Protestant and Christian faiths, practiced by many highlanders also came under attack, with Vietnamese authorities destroying or closing churches and arresting religious leaders, accusing them of anti-government activities. To avoid persecution and imprisonment, many Montagnards fled to Cambodia to seek asylum. The Vietnamese government ordered Cambodia not to assist Montagnards and called for their repatriation back to Vietnam. Unable to remain in Cambodia and facing persecution in returning to Vietnam, approximately 700 Montagnard refugees have been resettled in the United States, while others have been deported back to Vietnam.