Argentine filmmaker Ricardo Preve (L) directs a new documentary titled A Price We Have to Pay, which tells the story of Argentine photojournalist and war correspondent Ignacio Ezcurra
Argentine filmmaker Ricardo Preve is directing a new documentary titled A Price We Have to Pay, which tells the story of Argentine photojournalist and war correspondent Ignacio Ezcurra, who went missing during wartime in Saigon in May 1968.
Although Ezcurra's story is not widely known in Argentina, his journalistic ideals and dedication left a deep impression on Preve. Inspired by this connection, the director decided to create a documentary retracing Ezcurra’s journey and mysterious disappearance. He also expressed his desire to come to Vietnam to experience the war from his own perspective.
The film was partially shot in Argentina and is scheduled to begin filming in Vietnam on June 30, specifically in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta provinces. It is a collaborative project between a team of four Argentine directors and filmmakers, supported by Vietnam’s 2BIG Production.
Ignacio Ezcurra arrived in Saigon on April 24, 1968, after persistently requesting to be sent there by the newspaper La Nació de Buenos Aires he worked for. He wanted to capture firsthand the historic changes unfolding in Vietnam, particularly in the aftermath of the Mau Than 1968 General Offensive and Uprising. However, just a month later, in May 1968, he mysteriously disappeared in Saigon. His remains have never been recovered.
The documentary “A Price We Have to Pay” will be filmed in Vietnam
The documentary’s title, “A Price We Have to Pay,” was inspired by Ezcurra’s own words shortly before his disappearance, a poignant reflection on the risks and sacrifices of journalism. The documentary follows the journey of Argentine and Vietnamese filmmakers as they retrace Ezcurra’s life, from his childhood in Argentina to his work as a reporter in the Middle East and the United States, and finally his assignment in Vietnam. It also explores theories surrounding his disappearance and the lasting impact it had on his family, friends, and colleagues.
Ambassador of Argentina to Vietnam Marcos A. Bednarski affirmed that this documentary will be the first film co-production between the two countries.
“Although it's only the beginning, it’s a story that must be told. Cultural initiatives like this help bring our peoples closer together. Especially through cultural promotion and Spanish language education in Vietnam, we can continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Argentina and Vietnam," said the diplomat.