This September, Lao American filmmaker Van Ditthavong’s debut feature film ALL ROADS TO PEARLA had its debut, and Little Laos on the Prairie recently interviewed him on his journey and what’s next for him, in addition to his advice for other emerging creators. You can see our complete interview here: https://vimeo.com/461977256 Van Ditthavong was born in Vientiane, Laos. His father had been studying for a master’s degree in Louisiana, and soon after his birth, his mother and older brothers went to the US to visit, while he stayed in Laos. The plan had been for him to reunite with his family when he was bigger. However, that did not happen because of the political turmoil in the country that included many being detained in re-education camps. He was separated from his parents for 3 years. His aunt and uncle crossed the Mekong with him into Thailand. Recently his aunt told him that during their flight, the family in front of them stepped on a landmine. They were killed and Van Ditthavong’s family were lucky. Eventually, he reunited …