“Iced Lemonade for Hong Li” portrays on the one hand, the return of war-photographer Thomas Billhardt to the sites, which he visited and photographed during the Vietnam War, as well as his re-encounter with people behind the faces in his photos. On the other hand the film gives us a glimpse of the lives of two generations nowadays in Vietnam.

At the centre of the story is the Billhardt open-air photo exhibition at the heart of Hanoi, which draws the attention of both old and young.  A local Press photograph and an ex-colleague, Nguyen Van Nhiem accompany Billhardt through his journey in Vietnam and back to the past.

The destiny of the people, whom he portrayed 30 years ago, drives Thomas Billhardt to return to Vietnam.  There were many memories, many photos. But some of them were engraved deeper in his mind and heart.

One of the them was  Nguyen Anh Luong, a young female soldier whom he photographed in 1969 on the streets of Hanoi.

Another one was a dead child, killed by a bomb attack on Hanoi on  the 4th of October 1972, and his mourning grandmother. One of  the most internationally published photos of Billhardt, which symbolised the Vietnam War.

There were good memories as well. In 1969, in Hanoi, he met a young pretty girl on the National Street Nr.1. in fell in love with her. Her name was Hong Li. She worked with the brigade repairing damaged roads. With the aid of an interpreter he tried to communicate with her. The search for Hong Li  during this return visit, is the leading string in the film.

Two more figures appear in the story .Through them, we are able to get of a view into the problems, which the youth in Vietnam is facing today.

Tran Viet Duc, a young photographer who’s work concentrates on themes like homelessness, poverty and the young generation. And Cao Lan Anh, a young doctor from Hanoi, who is involved in the anti-aids campaign. Both symbolise Vietnam today.

Cast:
Thomas Billhardt
Cao Lan Anh
Tran Viet Duc
Margot Schwarz
Nguyen Van Nhiem
Nguyen Xuan Hoai
Hong Ly
Vu Dung
Dong Trung
Nguyen Anh Luong
Pham Quang Giang
Pho Xenh Coong
Vu Huong Giang

Producer: Arek Gielnik
Writer:Dietmar Ratsch &Arek Gielnik

Director / Cinematographer:

Dietmar Ratsch

Assistant Director / Cameraman
Arek Gielnik

Editor:
Raimund Barthelmes

Sound:
Ho Trong Huu

Music:
Nik Reich

Sounddesign:

Oliver Neumann
Wolfram Herz

Sound Mix:

Oliver Neumann

Team Vietnam:
Hang Film Studio 1 Hanoi

Location Manager Vietnam:

Nguyen Van Nhiem

Assistant Location Manager:
Tran Nhu Hung

Censor Vietnam:
Nguyen Tuan Thang

Translators:
Ho Trong Huu
Nguyen Van Nhiem
Tobias Barisch

Architect:
Nguyen Dinh Son

Mini-Bus Drivers:

Nguyen Chi Hung
Nguyen Tien Trung
Nguyen Van Quang

Berlin International Film Festival 2001
International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg 2000

DOCLANDS Dublin 2000 WCFF

Wine Country Film Festival2001, California, USA-Grand Prize International Arts

Singapore International Film Festival