Story and Photos by Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Projected on the big screen, actors are bigger than life, sometimes seemingly superheroic. Take Dustin Nguyen, now starring in “Once Upon a Time in Vietnam,” a story about a warrior monk, Master Bao, who travels through the countryside and winds up in a small village. There, he sees a local harassing the baker and then takes matters into his own hands in this martial arts and western film.
But when we get a chance to see them on a stage, in real size, we learn much more about them, finding out about the struggles it sometimes takes for a film to be made. At the recent Viet Film Fest, for instance, Nguyen took part in a question-and-answer session at the UltraLuxe Cinemas, which was filled to capacity. And the packed crowd learned a lot from Nguyen, who also directed the film, about what it is like to be both in front of and behind the camera at the same time.
The video billboard of the 2014 Viet Film Fest outside the UltraLuxe Cinemas at the GardenWalk of Anaheim.
He admitted that the task was hard but had interesting stories to share.
“It took a toll on me, and I will not do it again anytime soon,” Nguyen said. For example, during the shooting of the movie, he forgot he was supposed to act in a certain scene.
“I forgot I was in it, and I literally jumped from behind the camera to the front to read the script from there,” Nguyen said.
After that scene, Nguyen had to look back and see how he and other cast members did in the scene to determine if another take was required.
“It’s a tough task and it was a good experience, but next time, I may have to choose to be actor or director. Being both actor and director is easier said than done,” he said.
If that weren’t hard enough, the sets were not up to par at times.
Dustin Nguyen answers questions after the screening of “Once Upon a Time in Vietnam” recently.
“We were out in the desert a lot, and the sand and wind ruined our set,” Nguyen said. The equipment was in danger, too. “The set and equipment needed maintenance, so we had to finish the shoot as fast as we could so that we don’t go over the budget.”
And on this low-budget film, money was everything. It took a sponsor, Johnnie Walker whisky, to make the film happen, actually.
“Most of the movie takes place in a bar, so we needed some whisky and needed a product, and Johnnie Walker happily agreed,” Nguyen said. He wrote the script to include the product placement.
That actually led to controversy in Viet Nam. “They wanted to stop screenings of the film because they accused that the film was to promote liquor” Nguyen said.
Despite the difficulty that sometimes arose in making the film, Nguyen encouraged aspiring filmmakers to never get discouraged.
“Just go for it and follow your dream. By now my parents already are satisfied of what I am doing,” he said. “I know how our parents want the best for their children and think this business isn’t good for you. Just do what makes you happy, and I believe you can do it if you really believe in yourself.”
