Director Charlie Nguyen: Ups and downs behind the camera

These days, the person who directed many blockbusters, some of which earned over 100 billion VND, is always busy with work. During breaks from casting new films, Charlie Nguyen told Thanh Nien reporters many stories about his career and life.

After 10 years in the US, what made you return to your homeland in 1992 to establish Chanh Phuong Film Studio? What does the name Chanh Phuong mean?

I took the name Chanh Phuong because my family name is Nguyen Chanh. My grandfather is Nguyen Chanh Minh, my father is Nguyen Chanh Su, my uncle is Nguyen Chanh Tin, I am Nguyen Chanh Truc, Johnny Tri Nguyen's younger brother is Nguyen Chanh Minh Tri... My grandmother once won the Miss Bac Lieu - Ca Mau title.

Nguyen Chanh is the last name of my aunt, uncle, children and grandchildren. Chanh Phuong intended to choose the right direction and Chanh is not evil. When the time comes, I will return. I studied and then worked in the US, but one day, I returned to Vietnam because of fate until I convinced Van Son (my aunt's son) to return to Vietnam to make my second film - The Change of Stars in 2000.

Your first movie was about Vietnamese history, filmed in the US, The 18th Hung King Era . Why did you choose this topic?

I made movies because I love Vietnamese history and martial arts. When I made my first film, there were no Vietnamese scenes in America so we had to build all the sets, props and costumes. The whole family jumped in, with a few "disciples" around 15, 16 years old helping. Johnny Tri Nguyen and I formed a lion dance team so we had many "disciples" participating. Since I was little, I really liked watching lion dances because it was close to martial arts. I asked for money to buy 2 lions and drums. We not only danced but also enjoyed performing eye-catching moves, like throwing Johnny onto my shoulders to dance. We performed in California during Tet every year. This was also the group that later collaborated to make our first film, The 18th Hung King, which "burned" 300,000 USD and was rated... bad! But thanks to that, I started learning the profession. It's been more than 30 years.

- Ảnh 2. — Director Charlie Nguyen in a sharing session about cinema

Who did you learn martial arts from, and what types of martial arts do you know?

My family has been practicing martial arts for three generations. My grandfather was a famous martial artist in the Southwest region, and later participated in the fight against the French, establishing an anti-French force (Ha Tien Front). He founded Lien Phong, which is now being continued by Johnny Tri Nguyen at Lien Phong martial arts school (HCMC), so I was able to study it from a young age. Later, I also learned Aikido, Tai Chi, Hung Ga, Wing Chun, Wushu...; in general, I learned a lot of martial arts. Looking back now, I still remember the martial arts moves, but if I attacked, I probably wouldn't have the strength or accuracy.

Did the first work you directed, filmed in Vietnam, " Things Change" break even?

I remember the total cost of this film was only 35,000 USD. I kept urging Van Son to come back to Vietnam to make films while he only specialized in shows and comedy. I kept asking him, and eventually he relented. He read the script I wrote and liked it so he agreed.

Things change The film gathered all the stars at that time: Van Son, Bao Liem, Quang Minh, Hong Dao and even the younger sister Tawny Truc Nguyen. Before that, I invited Hong Anh but she was busy with her schedule. Johnny Tri Nguyen was in charge of filming, I was the director. The film made a little profit, it was lucky that it didn't lose money because at that time there were very few theaters, most people didn't have the habit of going to the theater to watch movies.

The movie "Dong Mau Anh Hung" was released nearly 20 years ago and was a hit, won many awards, but unfortunately it lost money. If you could go back in time, would you make this movie?

I didn't expect that the second film shot in Vietnam would cost so much money, up to 1.6 million USD. If we accept to "play", we can't give up halfway. My family and I decided to borrow 70% from the bank to do it. The borrowers are my sister and her husband and Uncle Nguyen Chanh Tin.

The film was highly rated but still lost money because at that time the movie theater market was extremely small, there were very few theaters so there were few audiences. Chanh Phuong has been paying off the debt for nearly 19 years now. Luckily, later on, thanks to us making a few high-grossing movies, we had money to gradually pay off the debt.

If I could go back in time, I would have made Heroic Bloodline but I would have been more clever to reduce the budget. At that time, I lacked production experience so I extended the filming time, so the cost was too high.

Before, you often chose humorous topics to work on, was it because of sales pressure?

Comedy is hard to make, so I like it. The market accepts this genre, so it attracts audiences. Making movies at that time was a hobby, not a real business.

After Blood of Heroes , Dustin Nguyen - a Vietnamese-American filmmaker - invited me to return to Vietnam to continue filming. I was overjoyed. Then De Mai planned to be released in theaters in 2010.

Why does he no longer make entertaining comedies that used to have high revenue like Teo em , Long ruoi , De Mai tinh ? I'm not 18 yet …?

I still work but as a producer, screenwriter for film studios and director. I am about to make a comedy horror film, as creative producer, Phan Xi Ne is directing, we start filming this August.

What do you think about filmmaking in the US and Vietnam?

Vietnam is always noisy and bustling, people are always busy and in a hurry. The day I arrived in Texas (USA), I was bewildered because the scenery and food were unfamiliar. The streets were deserted, only occasionally seeing people. I struggled with studying because everything was in English. The similarity when working in the profession is that everywhere you need a good script, good director and actors, plus a skilled film crew, and modern equipment.

Charlie Nguyen on the set of Gama: Invincible Speed - a game show he directed

In your opinion, what elements does the film script - considered the weakest part of Vietnamese cinema today - need to add to attract audiences?

The script plays a pivotal role, deciding the success or failure, is the soul of the project. If the script is bad, no matter how good the director is, it will be very difficult to succeed. The current team of Vietnamese scriptwriters still has many limitations. The number of talented scriptwriters is too small, almost the director has to also be the scriptwriter.

There is no formula for writing a script, but there is a structure. If you study well and know how to build character psychology, then when telling a story, it will be more attractive, engaging, and create emotions for the audience. On the contrary, you will not be able to do it well. Studying only understands the theory, but creativity is innate to each person. Creative inner strength cannot be taught and it is rare and precious in the art of storytelling.

A script must have a compelling idea, a solid structure, deep character development, a strong message, and a unique, creative storytelling style. It may sound simple, but it takes years of perseverance to become a screenwriter and a master of the craft. Those who lack passion will give up.

What motivated you and your younger brother - Johnny Tri Nguyen - to make two historical films: Heroic Bloodline 2: White Swallow of Ca Mau and Guardian Spirit: The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb ?

Simply because my brother and I are very passionate about martial arts and history, and like stories that contain those two elements. For Guardian Spirit: The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb , I only supported and advised the script for the producer and director, while Tri played a role in the film and was the action director.

I will direct Heroic Bloodline 2: White Swallow of Ca Mau , the scriptwriting team includes me, Johnny Tri Nguyen and a few other brothers. We are currently developing the script until 2026 before considering production. But it is certain that Tri will play the role of the grandfather - martial artist Nguyen Chanh Minh.

The Nguyen Chanh family has produced many film talents such as Nguyen Chanh Tin, Charlie Nguyen, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Van Son, Nguyen Duong... who are descendants of Mr. Nguyen Chanh Minh with the title Nhan Trang Ca Mau . What do you want to convey in this film?

Now only my father and my third uncle are still alive. I hope to make this film so that my father and third uncle can see it, as a way to express my gratitude. Being able to make a film right in my hometown, and a historical film, about my grandfather, I consider myself a happy person.

I estimate that Heroic Bloodline 2 will cost 3.5 - 4 million USD to make. If there is more money, it will be better. If there is less money, it will be difficult to produce because the story and action scenes are quite large and grand.

- Ảnh 9. — Charlie Nguyen directs a scene

Do you have any memorable memories with your uncle - actor Nguyen Chanh Tin?

An unforgettable memory was when Uncle Tin took me to sit on the gas tank in front of his Honda to watch him perform a play. When we arrived at the theater, the audience was booing from both sides of the gate, calling his name loudly. I remember seeing his picture on the poster of the Bong Hong theater troupe, I was very impressed. Maybe that experience nurtured my passion for art later on.

Chanh Phuong Film Studio collaborated with Netflix to organize a training and support program for film talent called Practical Series Production, which you are the main manager of. Has this project trained personnel for the country's film industry so far?

Before that, I had done some filmmaking workshops for young people. Netflix saw that I was interested in running classes and invited me to collaborate to teach writing scripts for feature films. Netflix sponsored the students for free along with funding to make short films. When the opportunity arises, I continue to do projects like that and am teaching a course on screenwriting.

Now, the opportunities for filmmaking are wide open thanks to the support of technology. Anyone can make a film. All you need is a phone or a laptop. In the past, making a film cost a lot of money. Nowadays, young people are much happier than I was.

As a judge of the Comink Comic Contest 2022 to find young talents in the field of comics, is your idea of making a movie from comics feasible?

The contest aims to encourage young people who love drawing and comics to participate. I want to create a playground for young people to have the opportunity to approach and develop their passion for storytelling through images.

What's new in the latest racing game show project Gama - Duc Tat Bat Bai that you participated in as director?

I am the creator of this game with 16 people participating in Go Kart racing. Each episode will be eliminated until the end to find the best racer.

Someone told me that game shows are in decline, so why did I accept to be the director of Duc Tat Bat Bai ? I saw this as an opportunity to challenge my creativity, so I joined to experience it. The first game show about racing in Vietnam, so it inspired me to do it. Besides, I also love speed.

At the age of nearly 60, does work make you stressed when you have to take on the roles of director, lecturer, producer…?

Having nothing to do is sad, work is joy. Wherever I live, I can find something to do, regardless of age. Now my health is declining so my productivity is not as good as before. But these days, working 14-15 hours a day is normal.