AQUILA WARRIOR
A STORY
OF
SIN AND REDEMPTION
As a documentary, Aquila Warrior explores our instinct for belonging and the price we will pay for acceptance through the life of half-Latvian orphan Arthur ‘Dzung’ Luu (b. 1991). Over five years we witnessed and documented his transition from addict to acolyte of Christ.
Here we have summarized the first three major landmarks of Arthur's journey, from 2014 - 2018.
2014
MEET
ARTHUR
Abandoned by his Latvian mother and Vietnamese father at an early age, Arthur “Dzung” Luu was raised on the streets of Latvia. Growing up poor and having little contact with his mom, Arthur dropped out of school at age 14 in 2005 and learned to cook to support himself.
When a journalist locates Arthur's paternal Vietnamese grandparents by sheer providence in 2014, he decides that a better life away from the streets awaited him in Vietnam.
2017
A
POISOINED
DREAM
"I WANT TO WIN VIETNAM'S NATIONAL MEN'S WEIGHT-LIFTING COMPETITION, I'LL START WITH THAT GOAL"
After a seemingly joyous reunion and the discovery of weightlifting as a passion, we are introduced to Arthur in July 2017 as he prepares to compete in a bodybuilding contest. Seeking fame, he intends to be the first half-Vietnamese weightlifting champion. To aid his bulking, Arthur turns to steroids.
However, within several weeks, Arthur goes through a bad breakup and loses his job. He then becomes addicted to meth, which he also peddles to make money. After trying to flee his troubles once more, Arthur returns to Hanoi a week before Lunar New Year 2018. He is now gaunt, destitute, and too ashamed to face his family.
"AFTER 2 MONTHS OF STEROIDS,
YOU'LL SEE HOW MUCH I GROW"
2018
A
SECOND
LIFE
Resurfacing 9 months later, Arthur checks in at a Christian rehab center in the mountainous countryside an hour's drive from Hanoi. The Aquila Rescue Center (named after a missionary of the Apostle Paul's era) takes a forceful approach. At first Arthur tries to escape, however, the center does not permit him to leave. They prohibit Arthur from leaving and when he threatens to call the police, they lock him in a room.
Yet, 6 months into the program, which focuses on bible reading, solitary and group worship, and forbids use of outside communication, Arthur is grateful. Moreover, he now speaks in biblical tongues, participates in prayer healings, and performs daily chores. Immersed in this new life, Arthur submits totally to Aquila and proclaims he is born again.
He graduates from the Aquila rehab program but stays with a new goal, which is for himself to become a spiritual leader and a traveling missionary.