When Espelune commissioned me to write a film about young people and Vietnamese culture, I was in grade 11 and had only been writing stage plays. And it shows. After the film premiered in 2021, I spent many late nights regretting the decisions I made (or did not make), hating my poor writing skills and lack of involvement in directing. But 3 years later, I finally came to appreciate some of the things that younger me did. She was brave, outrageously ambitious, and blindingly optimistic. 

 

Being abroad from Vietnam gave me new perspectives on culture. Much to my surprise, I was right when I tried to depict how traditional culture is connected to each individual by the bond of family. Cutting fruit and making food for each other as love language. Choosing family over personal ambitions. A rich culture of art despite the social disdain for artists. And young people’s confusion toward their culture, not seeing how the repression of individuality should be respected, let alone preserved. 

 

The script was initially a feature film, turned into a series of short films, and finally reduced to a short film. So the scope of the idea was reasonably bigger than our ability. I was also not confident in the appeal of a story without romantic interest, but the romance was ultimately cut off due to time. The script went through so many major transformations, yet, unfortunately, I still can’t say that it was the most concise version of the story. 

 

However, the film preface of what I would love to explore when it comes to Vietnamese culture. And now, with a bit more experience and perspective, I am excited at the prospect of making another cultural film in the future.