Vietnamese

From Refugee Camp to Film Festival: New Documentary Explores Vietnamese Couple’s Journey Through Hollywood’s Lens

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NEW YORK — A new short documentary, “We Were the Scenery,” offers a poignant glimpse into the historical intertwining of personal lives with cinematic history through the experiences of Cathy Linh Che’s parents. This film, which has earned accolades including the Short Film Jury Award for Nonfiction at the Sundance Film Festival, explores how Hoa Thi Le and Hue Nguyen Che, who escaped from Vietnam in 1975, inadvertently became part of Hollywood history. The couple found themselves working as extras in the legendary film “Apocalypse Now” while staying in a refugee camp in the Philippines. … Read more

Vietnamese Lawyer Faces Trial Over Facebook Comments Critiquing Chief Judge

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HANOI, Vietnam — A prominent Vietnamese lawyer, known for his vocal stance on human rights and legal transparency, began his trial Thursday, facing charges of disseminating anti-state propaganda. The attorney, whose identity has not been disclosed, allegedly criticized Vietnam’s top judge on Facebook, sparking controversy and leading to his arrest. The charges against him are under a specific provision in Vietnamese law that targets activities aiming to overturn the state. In this case, the lawyer’s online comments, which questioned the integrity of Vietnam’s chief justice and the broader judicial system, have been deemed a threat … Read more

Vietnamese Director Duong Dieu Linh Triumphs at Venice Critics’ Week with ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’

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Venice, Italy – The film “Don’t Cry, Butterfly,” a poignant narrative by Vietnamese director Duong Dieu Linh, has captured the top honor at the Venice Critics’ Week, an independent section parallel to the Venice Film Festival that spotlights debut films. The jury, captivated by the film’s delicate portrayal of sensitive subjects, awarded it the Grand Prize, a significant mark of recognition that highlights new and emerging filmmakers. Duong Dieu Linh’s evocative feature debut centers on a deeply personal and sometimes disturbing journey through the lives of its characters. Set in contemporary Vietnam, the film tells … Read more