Cinespot : An Exclusive Interview with Vietnamese Director Victor Vu

An Exclusive Interview
with Director Victor Vu
(Part II)

Filmmaking Career

Cinespot: Tell us about your background and upbringing.

Vu: My mother was pregnant with me when she left Vietnam in 1975. I was born and raised in Southern California. I went to film school at Loyola Marymount University.

Cinespot: Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?

Vu: The first movie I saw in the theater was E.T. by Steven Spielberg. I was fascinated by it. From that point on, I was always in love with film and storytelling.

Cinespot: How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to be a filmmaker?

Vu: They were a little worried at first, but now, they are really supportive. I was very fortunate.

Cinespot: What was your experience in film school like?

Vu: The thing about LMU is that you can start making movies as soon as you get there. There's no hierarchy. There's no waiting around like there is at other film schools. I think I was the only Vietnamese student in my class. Tony Bui was a senior when I was a freshman. We both worked in the projection booth together. The school was pretty supportive, but I definitely felt like a minority.

Cinespot: Who are your influences as a filmmaker?

Vu: I really like Hitchcock and the films of Zhang Yimou.

Cinespot: How do you feel about the representation of Vietnamese in Hollywood films? Do you hope to play a role in changing that?

Vu: I think it's up to Vietnamese filmmakers to show our culture and change the negative representations that have been created on the screen. I definitely feel like it's an exciting time for Asian filmmakers right now. But I hope that we can expand and make films that reach a wider audience.

Cinespot: Do you write every day or follow a regular routine?

Vu: No, I don't have any sort of routine. I don't write every day. Although I wish I could.

Cinespot: Tell us about your next project. It's in the works right now.

Vu: I'm in talks with some people, trying to put something together. I would like to make independent films and Hollywood films. I'm definitely open to doing more mainstream films, not limited to any genre. I'm more concerned about the project itself, the strength of its story, its characters, its themes. That's what determines the quality of a film, not the budget.

Cinespot: Thank you very much, Victor! Good luck with Spirits!

Vu: You're welcome! Thanks a lot.

In conclusion, the interview was a huge success. Again, we would like to appreciate director Victor Vu for taking his valuable time and sharing his insight with us. Please give a round applause to director Vu!

Thank you!

Host / Text / Planning: Jenny Cho
Photos provided by Victor Vu

12/2004

Click here to go back to Part I.