Nightmare ! Our Uber dropped us at a corner
but the street is cut in half
and the interview takes place accross this building
and we can't fly
"voilà"
We can't go through a small alley
We have to go around the block because the network's building is in Little Saigon
(music)
Why am I in California ?
I directed a film 2 years ago named Little Father
and it got selected at Viet Film Fest in Orange County, California
We're here for 3 days Hi Cassandre !
to take part of the festival, screening is on Saturday
Opening night is tonight
We use make up, I didn't shave
I'm wearing a shirt, and I won't have a cap on my head
That's a lot We went to a great networking event
last night with other film directors
taking part of the festival, coming from around the world
I even sang Joe Dassin
- There's a tape, Cassandre ? - Yes
"aux Champs Élysées, aux Champs Élysées, au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi,
ou à minuit, il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs Élysées
Tu m'as dit j'ai RDV dans un sous-sol avec des fous qui vivent la guitare
à la main du soir au matin alors je t'ai accompagné on a chanté
on a dansé et on a même pas pensé...
We had our first screening this morning
Many great films
Mostly shortfilm, it was amazing, very amazing !
A short-film I really like named "Ramadan"
it's a documentary about 5 young south-east asian muslim
who filmed themselves during ramadan to share what it is
and what religion means for them
They directed it in 2016, when Trump mentionned Muslim Ban a lot
It was a way for them to respond to what the media said
Tonight, Red Carpet, party, food, screening I guess
Stephane presented Spring leaves at the festival last year
He's the one telling me about Viet Film Fest
He's here with Jasmine Lane a film he directed this year
I should get ready Boom ! "My Adidas ..."
(My Adidas - Run DMC)
"First I'd like to thank the board of VAALA"
I didn't have to come with Little Father to this festival
because it's a film with a small budget
and the trip was at my expense
I only apply to this particular festival
It wasn't any festival
It was amy way to meet a Vietnamese community
who lives his identity in way we don't in France
I arrived 2 hours ago
This is my first interview with an important Viet TV in the US
And yet...
"Do you have any Vietnamese in you ?"
as a start, then I'm asked what I like about the culture here in Little Saigon
I just got here, and I don't know much
A Canadian director tap my shoulder and tells me that I should
be interested, because it's my culture "Man"
It hits me, I'm confused
I realised things aren't go easy, the interview is a nightmare
I end up speaking nonsense, and feel I'm not what's expected
I came too relaxed
I had to be more prepared, screening is in 2 days
The following Q&A are in English I have to pre-write my thoughts
to say what's on my mind properly
This dragon fruit comes from the neighbour's garden
He offered us some So nice,
hum...
- Are you anxious, Thomas ? _ I am
- What about you, Stephane
- No, digesting keeps me from stress
I was moved by the many stories, and identities
that were in the films
Those describe a large spectrum
and yet many similarities
I've been touched by films about intersectionnality
religion, gendre, or memories
I came here by choice, with my brown face
that got me questionned about whether I actually was Vietnamese
or if I could talk Vietnamese
Being here was way to become part of this community
and being represented
Showing asians are a uniform monolithic group of people
It's a weird self-recovery process I still struggle
to find balance in this mix One film at a time I'll try
to wrtie stries that speaks for me and maybe
it would mean something to others
(music)
Last day of the festival
Yesterday Little Father was screened There were a few people
I'm glad I could express my thoughts in English
that was the hard part, to figure out how to say things the right way
The film got success, I had many good reviews
I was happy to see Jasmine Lane at last !
In which performs Mike Nguyen, Grace Ly, François-Xavier Phan,
Can't remember everybody- You are great in this scene
It's funny to picture you in the 60s 70s 75
Fanny who I wen to highschool with also plays in the film
That was unexpected !
Yesterday morning I watched short films directed by a young group
who went on a weekly program for filmmakers
and it was interesting to see their documentaries, fiction, or action films
Many of topics were relevant and made sense
I really like the story of a teenagers who learns back Khmer
because he forgot, and want to speak to his grandmother
There were a documentary about rent price range
and how landlords can rise rent without regulation
it was well put for a first film
congratulations to all of the directors
It's a great work, respect You have many years ahead to learn
and to developp your style
Thanks to Viet Film Fest Staff for having us, and those 3 days