Passport To Love Released In The US

EVEREST PRODUCTIONS
proudly presents
in association with
INFOCUS MEDIA GROUP and WONDERBOY ENTERTAINMENT

PASSPORT TO LOVE

Released in the U.S.A.

Friday, October 9th, 2009

This is the romantic comedy sensation directed by Victor Vu that swept through Vietnam earning itself a record box-office Valentine’s Day opening.  It is also the surprise hit that won Audience Choice and Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Golden Kite Awards (Vietnam’s Equivalent to Oscar).

CAST: Binh Minh, Huy Khanh, Kathy Uyen, Ngoc Diep and Tang Bao Quyen.

SYNOPSIS:  “PASSPORT TO LOVE” is a romantic comedy set in modern day Saigon, Vietnam and Orange Country, USA.  Khang is a charming and handsome playboy; Hieu is his earnest and hardworking “Bill Gates” wannabe sidekick.  “The Boys” are sent to study abroad in the U.S. and to bring home a coveted American University Degree.  Once in America, Khang’s life spirals into chaos; he falls for a young, single mother who also happens to be the police officer who books him.  Meanwhile, Hieu is trapped between the tempting Viet-American pageant girl, Jennifer and his almost too perfect fiancé, Thao, back home. When Hieu’s mother falls ill, he must return to Vietnam.  A distraught Jennifer follows in secrecy.  As Khang stays back in America and seeks love in a whole different direction, the once self-assured Hieu finds himself riddled with indecision.

SHOWING AT: (In Vietnamese with English Subtitle, PG-13)

Orange County, CA

Regal Garden Grove 16, 9741 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92841

Edwards Westminster 10, 6721 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683

San Jose, CA: AMC Eastridge 15, 2190 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122

Houston, TX: AMC First Colony 24, 3301 Town Centre Blvd., South Sugar Land, TX 77479

Dallas, TX: AMC Firewheel 18, 100 Coneflower Drive. Garland, TX 75040

Atlanta, GA: Regal Hollywood Stadium 24, 3265 Northeast Expressway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341

Official Website: www.passporttolovethemovie.com

Contact info:

Orange County, CA:  Binh Le, (714) 234-9494,binhduyle@vabc.com

San Jose, CA: Theresa Le (415) 608-7373, theresa.le@ifacepr.com

Houston, TX: Kevin Pham, (832) 407-5691

Dallas, TX: Hoang Le, (469) 774-4331, tietkiemnhieu@gmail.com

Atlanta, GA: Kim Hanh, (678) 849-6470, hanhtk_dang@yahoo.com

Cộng tác với INFOCUS MEDIA và WONDERBOY ENTERTAINMENT

CHUYỆN TÌNH XA XỨ

“PASSPORT TO LOVE”

Sẽ được bắt  đầu trình chiếu tại 6 rạp trong các thành phố

Orange County-CA, San Jose-CA, Houston-TX, Dallas-TX, và Atlanta-GA

Bắt  đầu từ Thứ Sáu ngày 9 tháng 10, 2009.

Đây là cuốn phim lãng mạn, hài hước và cảm động của đạo diễn Victor Vũ và được quay tại Quận Cam, California, USA và Saigòn, Việt Nam với các diễn viên chính: Bình Minh, Huy Khánh, Kathy Uyên, Ngọc Diệp, và Tăng Bảo Quyên

SƠ  LƯỢC CHUYỆN PHIM: Khang, một chàng đẹp trai thích tán gái và hưởng thụ nhờ vào tiền của ông bố giàu có. Trong khi đó, Hiếu, một chàng trai nhà nghèo chỉ quan tâm tới chuyện học, với ước mơ du học tại Mỹ và trở thành một Bill Gates trong tương lai. Cả hai được du học sang Mỹ. Hiếu đi với mục đích học hành thành đạt về báo hiếu mẹ và kết hôn cô bạn gái (Tăng Bảo Quyên) rất chu đáo và chung thủy. Còn Khang, việc du học là để thoát khỏi vòng kiểm soát của ông bố và tha hồ ăn chơi. Nhưng sau 6 tháng trên đất Mỹ đã làm hai người đàn ông thay đổi rất nhiều phương diện. Hiếu sau thời gian làm giáo sư dạy tiếng Việt cho cô gái trẻ – Jennifer (Ngọc Diệp) đã “say nắng” với lối sống và cách yêu cuồng nhiệt của cô Á hậu trên đất Mỹ này. Khi mẹ Hiếu bị bệnh nặng, Hiếu phải trở lại Việt Nam thì bị Jenifer lén đi theo.  Còn Khang, sau cuộc gặp gỡ vô tình với nữ cảnh sát Mỹ, Tiffnany (Kathy Uyên) đã đổi thay cuộc sống mình, từ một anh chàng công tử tiêu tiền không cần biết ngày mai và nghĩ rằng, mọi thứ đều có thể mua bằng tiền… trở thành một người đàn ông phải tự sống với hai bàn tay của mình…

SHOWING AT: (Tiếng Việt phụ đề Anh Ngữ, PG-13)

Orange County, CA

Regal Garden Grove 16, 9741 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92841

Edwards Westminster 10, 6721 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683

San Jose, CA: AMC Eastridge 15, 2190 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122

Houston, TX : AMC First Colony 24, 3301 Town Centre Blvd.,  South Sugar Land, TX 77479

Dallas, TX: AMC Firewheel 18, 100 Coneflower Drive. Garland, TX 75040

Atlanta, GA: Regal Hollywood Stadium 24, 3265 Northeast Expressway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341
Official Website: www.chuyentinhxaxu.com

Mọi  chi tiết, xin liên lạc:

Orange County, CA:  Binh Le, (714) 234-9494,binhduyle@vabc.com

San Jose, CA: Theresa Le (415) 608-7373, theresa.le@ifacepr.com

Houston, TX: Kevin Pham, (832) 407-5691,

Dallas, TX: Hoang Le, (469) 774-4331, tietkiemnhieu@gmail.com

Atlanta, GA: Kim Hanh, (678) 849-6470, hanhtk_dang@yahoo.com

Open Call for Comedy Feature Film “JUST VISITING”

Khan Bui

“JUST VISITING” – a micro budget feature film, directed by Khan Bui

They Came. They Saw. They Wanna Go Back. What happens when four visitors come to Little Saigon for a visit? Their lives intertwined, and disaster occurred in so many different levels. No one is as he or she seems to be.

Shooting dates are set for November. We are looking for 15 Vietnamese speaking male and female from 20 to 35 to be part of this ensemble cast action/romantic/comedy film.

Audition will be held at Ramada Plaza Hotel, 10022 Garden Grove Blvd in Garden Grove, from September 14th through16th, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For any questions please email pixel2pictures@gmail.com or eliza_ngo@yahoo.com .

Khan Bui graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.A. in Architecture. In 1992, he began venturing into filmmaking by an invitation of a friend to help out on a feature film, thus, kick-started his film career. Since then, Bui has written, produced and directed many music videos for the Vietnamese community before leaving for Los Angeles. He found another passion in filmmaking as a director of photography for many feature and short films. This will be his first directing debut of a feature film.

Film Gala: “Song Moi: New Wave Vietnamese American Film Industry”

VSVN-SoCal ANNOUNCES FILM GALA - “Song Moi: New Wave Vietnamese American Film Industry”

View Song Moi Programme Booklet (DOWNLOAD PDF)

Guest Panlists: Kieu Chinh (Actress, The Joy Luck Club, Journey from the Fall), Timothy Linh Bui (Director, Powder Blue), Ham Tran (Director, Journey from the Fall), Le-Van Kiet (Director, Sad Fish), Bob McCormick (VP, Regals Entertainment), Binh D. Le (Producer, Passport to Love), David Magdael (CEO, David Magdael & Associates), and Lan Duong, Ph.D., (Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at UC Riverside)

Irvine - August 1, 2009 - VSVN-SoCal, the leading business networking group promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the O.C. Vietnamese American business, technology and professional communities, today announced that it will host a Film Panel Discussion and Gala Reception titled “Song Moi: New Wave Vietnamese American Film Industry.” This very special Song Moi event will be held on August 29, 2009 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California.

“Song Moi: New Wave Vietnamese American Film Industry” celebrates the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the “New Wave” in Vietnamese American cinema with an evening of education, music and celebration. The event is designed to celebrate this important cultural landmark, as well as to introduce the O.C. Vietnamese American community to the unique business and financial aspects of the emerging VietAm film industry, from film financing to production to distribution. The Song Moi event will also explore the socio-cultural underpinnings of, and the challenges facing, the VietAm film industry and VietAm film-makers, including the ways in which Vietnamese American artists have struggled to preserve and blend the story-telling elements that have long been a part of Vietnamese art with the demands of mainstream industry pressures.

“Our Song Moi event will give our VSVN-SoCal members and others in the Vietnamese American community a rare insiders’ perspective into an industry that I believe most of us have not had the opportunity to look at before,” said Dan Tran, former VSVN-SoCal President and the co-Moderator of the Song Moi panel. “We love to see these movies, and we often hear discussions about the artistic or historical or cultural elements of the VietAm film industry. But how many of us understand the industry economics that so strongly shape the final artistic product?”

“The Song Moi event will truly be a signature VSVN-SoCal event filled with education, music and celebration,” said Vince Trinh, Event Manager and Vice President of VSVN-SoCal. “Our guests will have a chance to hear from and personally talk to some of the best VietAm directors and artists and industry folks. We are excited and proud to have been able to assemble such a distinguished panel, and we are very grateful to Bowers Museum for partnering with VSVN-Socal to make this event possible in such a beautiful and world-class venue,” Mr. Trinh continued.

The Song Moi presentation will showcase film clips from established and emerging Vietnamese American filmmakers, and each film clip will be followed by a lively discussion between the audience and a panel of internationally-recognized artists, filmmakers and industry insiders who have been aptly credited for bringing the Vietnamese American film industry into the mainstream. The featured panelists will include: Kieu Chinh, acclaimed award-winning actress of such films as “Joy Luck Club” and “Journey From the Fall”; Timothy-Linh Bui, award-winning Director-Producer of films such as “Powder Blue” starring Jessica Biel and Ray Liotta; Ham Tran, award-winning Director of “Journey From the Fall”; Le-Van Kiet, Director of “Dust of Life” and “Sad Fish”; Binh D. Le, Producer of “Passport to Love”; and Dr. Lan Duong, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at UC Riverside. In addition, the Panel and Guests of Honor will include Bob McCormick (Vice President, Regals Entertainment) and David Magdael (CEO, David Magdael & Associates), as well as other well-known artists and insiders from the Vietnamese American film and entertainment communities. The panel discussion will be moderated by Dan Tran and Ysa D. Le,

Co-director of the Vietnamese International Film Festival.

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m with light appetizers being served to allow Song Moi patrons to mingle and get situated. The Symposium and Panel Discussion portion of the Program will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., followed by a Gala Reception consisting of an elegant Hors d’oeuvres Dinner, Cash Bar and Live Musical Entertainment starting from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Formal or business attire is required. The advance registration fee is $25 per person for General Admission (permits entrance to the Symposium/ panel discussion ONLY, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.), $50 per person for the VIP Ticket (entrance to Symposium PLUS Gala Reception), or $450 for a group of 10 VIP Tickets. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Vince Trinh at vince.trinh@vsvn.org/(310) 801-9282 or; or Uyen Tang at uyen.tang@vsvn.org /(213) 915-4617; or www.Bolsatickets.com, (714) 418-2499. Due to the limited space available, advance registration and payment is strongly recommended.

Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available. Please contact Nguyen X. Nguyen at (714) 369-9548 or nxnguyen@gmail.com for all sponsorship inquiries.

About VSVN-SoCal:

VSVN-SoCal is a nonprofit 501(c) volunteer organization whose mission is to connect aspiring Vietnamese American entrepreneurs in the Southland with information and resources to transform ideas into successful businesses. VSVN-SoCal has been successful in achieving its mission by holding frequent meetings and bringing together entrepreneurs in the high-tech and biotech industries, investors, and professional service providers for networking, exchanging ideas, and starting businesses. The mission of our Song Moi event is to introduce established entrepreneurs, professionals, and community partners of VSVN-SoCal to professionals in art-related industries. This event will expand VSVN-SoCal’s current network of professionals and will connect our members and supporters to opportunities in the Vietnamese business, film and art communities.

For additional information on VSVN-SoCal or the Song Moi event, please visit us at www.vsvn.org.

Song Moi is made possible by sponsorships and support of: The Bowers Museum; The Venetian; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Klein, O’Neill & Singh, LLP; Advance Beauty College; Ben Tre Quan, Spotlight Printing and Imaging; DeviceLab, Inc.; Ritzgitt Hair Salon; Nancy Ly - Nancy Ly Fabric Design; and Jacky Tai Nguyen-tainguyenstyle.

In Partnership with: ViFF, AABWA, VACOC, VAMBA, NAAAP-OC, and 2010 Census.

We would like to thank the following show hosts for their generous support: Kim-Yen Huynh, CA State Commissioner/TV Host (Saigon TV), Huong Tho (Little Saigon TV); Thanh-Huong Vu (Saigon TV); Nu Tai Tu Thanh Lan (SET), Giang Ngoc (SBTN); Victoria To-Uyen (SBTN), Kristine Sa-VHN, and Ysa (VNCR).

VSVN-SOCAL TỔ CHỨC HỘI LUẬN VÀ GALA ĐIỆN ẢNH CHỦ ĐỀ “SÓNG MỚI TRONG NGÀNH ĐIỆN ẢNH MỸ GỐC VIỆT”

Tham Luận Viên: Kiều Chinh (Tài tử, The Joy Luck Club, Vượt Sóng), Timothy Linh Bùi (Đạo diễn, Powder Blue), Hàm Trần (Đạo diễn, Vượt Sóng), Lê-Văn Kiệt (Đạo diễn, Sầu Ngư), Bob McCormick (Vice-president, Regals Entertainment), Bình D. Lê (Nhà sản xuất, Passport to Love), David Magdael (CEO, David Magdael & Associates), và Lan Dương, Ph.D. (GS ngành Media & Cultural Studies tại UC Riverside)

IRVINE - VSVN-SoCal, một tổ chức bất vụ lợi hoạt động nhằm nối kết các chuyên gia thuộc nhiều lãnh vực như kinh doanh, khoa học kỹ thuật, luật pháp, y tế thuộc vùng Nam California sẽ tổ chức một cuộc hội luận và gala mang chủ đề “Sóng Mới Trong Ngành Điện Ảnh Mỹ Gốc Việt.” Chương trình đặc biệt này sẽ được diễn ra vào ngày 29 tháng 8, 2009, từ 6:00 chiều tại Viện Bảo Tàng Bowers, thành phố Santa Ana, California.

“Sóng Mới Trong Ngành Điện Ảnh Mỹ Gốc Việt” chào mừng một thập niên kể từ bước khởi đầu của điện ảnh Mỹ gốc Việt với phim “Ba Mùa” (”Three Seasons”) của đạo diễn Tony Bùi được chính thức phát hành vào năm 1999. Ngoài phần hội luận với nhiều đạo diễn, tài tử và nhà sản xuất nổi tiếng, chương trình Sóng Mới còn bao gồm phần âm nhạc và tiệc tiếp tân. Song song với việc đánh dấu một thập niên điện ảnh Mỹ gốc Việt, Sóng Mới còn nhằm giới thiệu các lãnh vực kinh doanh và tài chính, từ vấn đề tìm ngân sách cho phim, đến công việc sản xuất và phát hành. Chương trình Sóng Mới cũng đào sâu về những thử thách mà các đạo diễn gốc Việt đang phải đối diện như vấn đề gìn giữ bản sắc trong tác phẩm, mà đồng thời vẫn có thể được phát hành rộng rãi trong dòng chính.

“Sóng Mới sẽ cho các thành viên của hội VSVN-SoCal và những người khác trong cộng đồng một cái nhìn của người trong cuộc về một khía cạnh của điện ảnh mà chúng ta chưa có nhiều dịp tìm hiểu,” Dan Trần, cựu chủ tịch hội VSVN-SoCal và người điều hợp cuộc hội luận Sóng Mới cho biết. “Chúng ta thích xem phim và cũng hay được nghe về phần nghệ thuật hoặc lịch sử trong quá trình thực hiện một cuốn phim, nhưng mấy ai biết về mặt kinh tế, thương mại của lãnh vực nghệ thuật thứ bảy, vốn dĩ lại là những yếu tố quyết định hình thành sản phẩm nghệ thuật mà chúng ta được xem trên màn ảnh rộng?”

“Sống Mới thật sự là một sinh hoạt rất đặc biệt của VSVN-SoCal với nhiều điều để học hỏi, nhưng cũng sẽ rất vui và thư giãn với chương trình âm nhạc phong phú do nhiều ca sĩ Việt nổi tiếng trình diễn, và thức ăn ngon miệng do nhà hàng Tangata của Viện Bảo Tàng Bowers thực hiện,” ông Vince Trịnh, Trưởng ban tổ chức và Phó chủ tịch của hội VSVN-SoCal, cho biết. “Khách tham dự sẽ có cơ hội nghe và trò chuyện với những nhà làm phim nổi bật của ngành điện ảnh Việt hải ngoại cùng những nhà sản xuất trong dòng chính. Chúng tôi rất hãnh diện đã mời được những tham luận viên rất đặc biệt này. Đồng thời, chúng tôi cảm thấy may mắn vì được sự hỗ trợ nhiệt tình của Viện Bảo Tàng Bowers, một địa điểm văn hóa sang trọng và lịch sự” ông Vince Trịnh trình bày.

Phần hội luận sẽ được bắt đầu với những đoạn phim trích từ các tác phẩm của những đạo diễn trong tham luận đoàn. Sau đó là phần trao đổi giữa những tham luận viên cùng hai điều hợp viên và khán giả. Các tham luận viên và khách mời danh dự gồm có: Kiều Chinh, nữ tài tử nổi tiếng trong các phim “Joy Luck Club” và “Vượt Sóng” (”Journey from the Fall”); Timothy Linh Bùi, đạo diễn của phim “Powder Blue” với dàn diễn viên nổi tiếng Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker (nam diễn viên đoạt giải Oscar năm 2008), Ray Liotta; Hàm Trần, đạo diễn của phim “Vượt Sóng” từng đoạt rất nhiều giải thưởng quốc tế; Lê-Văn Kiệt, đạo diễn của “Bụi Đời” và “Sầu Ngư”; Bình D. Lê (Lê Bình), nhà sản xuất phim “Passport To Love”; và tiến sĩ Lan Dương, giáo sư ngành Truyền Thông và Văn Hóa tại đại học UC Riverside. Tham luận viên và khách mời danh dự còn có ông Bob McCormick, phó chủ tịch chuyên về tuyển phim của hệ thống rạp Regals Entertainment và ông David Magdael, giám đốc của David Magdael & Associates chuyên về dịch vụ quảng bá cho tác phẩm của các đạo diễn gốc Á. Hai người điều hợp cuộc hội luận gồm ông Dan Trần và cô Lê Đình Y-Sa, đồng giám đốc Đại Hội Điện Ảnh Việt Nam Quốc Tế (ViFF).

Chương trình sẽ bắt đầu lúc 6:00 chiều với thức ăn khai vị và họp mặt thân mật. Chương trình hội luận bắt đầu từ 7:00pm và kéo dài đến 9:00 tối. Tiếp theo sẽ là phần ăn tối với những món ăn hấp dẫn, quầy rượu, và phần âm nhạc kéo dài đến 12 giờ đêm. Trang phục: Áo dạ hội hoặc business. Giá vé: $25 (đặt mua trước, CHỈ CÓ phần hội luận mà thôi, từ 7:00pm - 9:00pm), $50 vé VIP (tham dự hội luận và Gala), hoặc $450 VIP mua nhóm 10 người. Vé có thể đặt mua trước với Vince Trịnh qua email vince.trinh@vsvn.org / 310-801-9282 hoặc Uyên Tăng qua email uyen.tang@vsvn.org / (651) 247-6716 hoặc www.Bolsatickets.com , điện thoại (714) 418-2499. Vì chỗ ngồi có giới hạn, khán giả nên đặt mua vé trước.

Quý vị muốn bảo trợ cho chương trình, xin liên lạc Nguyên X. Nguyễn, điện thoại (714) 369-9548 hoặc email nxnguyen@gmail.com.

Về Hội VSVN-SoCal:

VSVN-SoCal là một tổ chức thiện nguyện và bất vụ lợi 501 (c) với mục đích kết nối những nhà kinh doanh Mỹ gốc Việt trong vùng Nam California bằng những thông tin và phương cách để chuyển những sáng kiến thành những dự án kinh doanh thành công. VSVN-SoCal đã đạt được mục đích qua việc tổ chức những buổi hội thảo, gặp gỡ giữa những nhà kinh doanh về kỹ thuật mới, những nhà đầu tư và những người cung cấp dịch vụ nối kết, trao đổi sáng kiến và bắt đầu những dự án thương mại. Mục tiêu của chương trình Sóng Mới nhằm giới thiệu đến những nhà doanh nghiệp, những chuyên gia về một lãnh vực vừa mang tính cách nghệ thuật vừa mang tính thương mại. Chương trình này sẽ mở rộng vòng thân hữu của VSVN-SoCal và đưa đến các thành viên của hội và thân hữu những cơ hội trong lãnh vực thương mại, điện ảnh, và nghệ thuật.

Để biết thêm chi tiết về hội VSVN-SoCal hoặc chương trình Sóng Mới, xin vào thăm trang nhà www.vsvn.org .

Song Moi is made possible by sponsorships and support of: The Bowers Museum; The Venetian; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Klein, O’Neill & Singh, LLP; Advance Beauty College; Ben Tre Quan, Spotlight Printing and Imaging; DeviceLab, Inc.; Ritzgitt Hair Salon; Nancy Ly - Nancy Ly Fabric Design; and Jacky Tai Nguyen-tainguyenstyle.

In Partnership with: ViFF, AABWA, VACOC, VAMBA, NAAAP-OC, and 2010 Census.

We would like to thank the following show hosts for their generous support: Kim-Yen Huynh, CA State Commissioner/TV Host (Saigon TV), Huong Tho (Little Saigon TV); Thanh-Huong Vu (Saigon TV); Nu Tai Tu Thanh Lan (SET), Giang Ngoc (SBTN); Victoria To-Uyen (SBTN), Kristine Sa-VHN, and Ysa (VNCR).

Casting Call: Touch

8/14/2009

Filmmaker Minh Duc Nguyen (with camera) and actor Long Nguyen (Journey from the Fall, Sad Fish)

A Gray Picture is now casting for its upcoming ultra-low-budget feature, TOUCH, to be shot in Los Angeles from October - November 2009.

Storyline: A funny, unexpected friendship between an American car mechanic and a Vietnamese-American manicurist deepens in modern Los Angeles.

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Writer/Director: Minh Duc Nguyen

Producer: Mellissa Tong

Compensation: $100/day (SAG Ultra-Low-Budget Agreement)

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

LEAD ROLES:

BRENDAN: (early 30s, male, non-Asian) Mechanic. Handsome, rugged, and clueless with women. Full nudity required.

TAM: (late 20s, female, Vietnamese) Nail tech. Cute, playful, and passionate. Fluent in Vietnamese and English. Full nudity required.

SUPPORTING ROLES:

BICH: (30s, female, Vietnamese) Owner of the nail salon. Chesty, bitchy, and outrageous. Fluent in Vietnamese and English.

FATHER: (50s, Vietnamese) Gardener. Strict, disabled, and depressed. Fluent in Vietnamese. Full nudity required.

HONG: (20s, female, Vietnamese) Nail tech. Outgoing, pot-smoking raver. Fluent in Vietnamese and English.

KY: (early 30s, male, Vietnamese) Engineer. Bookish but romantic, a hidden gem. Fluent in Vietnamese and English. Full nudity required.

LINH: (30s, female, Vietnamese) Nail tech. Gossipy and bad-mannered. Fluent in Vietnamese and English.

LITTLE TAM: (5, girl, Vietnamese) Cute, quiet, and tender.

MOTHER: (30s, Vietnamese) Stay-at-home wife. Kind and nurturing. Fluent in Vietnamese.

QUYEN: (late 40s, female, Vietnamese) Nail tech. Wise, elegant, and classy. Fluent in Vietnamese and English.

SANDIE: (early 30s, female, non-Asian) Corporate lawyer and wife of a mechanic. Beautiful, accomplished, and a workaholic. Full nudity required.

DAY PLAYERS:

CUSTOMER #1/#2/#3: (30s and older, female, non-Asian) Large-body type, loud personality.

CUSTOMER #4: (30s and older, female, Latino or African-American) A hard-working mother.

DR. VU: (30s and older, male or female, Vietnamese) Psychiatrist. Calm and observant. Fluent in Vietnamese.

SECRETARY: (25 and older, female, non-Asian) Professional and disciplined.

VIETNAMESE SINGER: (late 40s and older, female) An experienced singer with a great voice.

Please send headshots and resumes to:

casting@touchthemovie.com

For more info, please visit:

http://www.touchthemovie.com

Casting Call: HIẾU: THE OBLIGATION

8/14/09

Roland Nguyen, an MFA Candidate at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, is currently seeking actors for an upcoming video shoot. The promotional video will be used to help raise funding towards the production of Nguyen’s feature length screenplay, “HIEU: THE OBLIGATION,” a modern Western set in Texas and Nebraska that follows the rise of a Vietnamese gunslinger in Houston’s Asian underworld.

The casting will be held on Saturday August 15, 2009 from 1:00pm-5:00pm at VAALA Studio, 14772 Moran Street (corner of Bolsa Avenue), Westminster, CA 92683.

Submissions for the following roles are currently being accepted:

LAN - FEMALE 25 - 35 / VIETNAMESE

A former Saigon bar girl who hopes to raise her son like a good American, free from the war and poverty she knew in Vietnam. Native or near-native Vietnamese speaking required.

MINH - MALE 5 - 10 / VIETNAMESE

Despite the flaws of the adults in his world, Minh is a well-adjusted child thanks to the close knit relationship he has with his mother and his uncle. But the arrival of three mysterious strangers in town is about to change his young life forever. All Asian ethnicities welcome, but please be prepared to speak a few lines in Vietnamese.

Inquiries, photos, headshots, resumes and other submission materials should be directed to Steven Nguyen at steven@risingbanner.com.Đạo diễn Roland Nguyễn Tuyển Diễn Viên

Roland Nguyễn, một đạo diễn trẻ hiện đang hoàn tất chương trình thạc sĩ (MFA) tại Đại học điện ảnh trường University of Southern California (USC), cần tuyển diễn viên cho một cuốn phim ngắn. Cuốn phim ngắn này sẽ được dùng trong việc tìm tài trợ cho cuốn phim dài (feature) “Hiếu: The Obligation.” “Hiếu: The Obligation” là phim “súng hiệp,” một loại kiếm hiệp hiện đại, lấy bối cảnh vùng Nebraska và Texas, xoáy vào một nhân vật “danh súng” của giới giang hồ tại Houston.

Roland Nguyễn đang tuyển các vai sau đây:

LAN - NỮ, 25 - 35 TUỔI

Trong quá khứ, Lan từng làm gái “bar” Sài-gòn, bây giờ cô cố gắng nuôi đứa con trai duy nhất của mình nên người với một cuộc sống bình an, tự do, và nhiều hy vọng. Vai này cần nói tiếng Việt thông thạo.

MINH - NAM, 5 - 10 TUỔI

Cho dù người lớn trong đời cậu bé này đã có những lỗi lầm, nhưng gia đình Minh thì ấm áp và đầy ắp tình thương. Tiếc rằng mọi sự sẽ thay đổi hẳn khi có ba người lạ xuất hiện từ xa đến, làm xáo trộn cuộc sống êm đềm của hai mẹ con. Vai Minh có thể là người gốc Á Châu, không cần phải người Việt Nam, tuy nhiên vai này sẽ phải nói vài câu tiếng Việt.

Ngoài vai Lan và Minh, đoàn làm phim còn cần thêm hai người đàn ông Việt Nam, từ 30 đến 45 tuổi để đóng vai hai người bắt cóc bé Minh. Tuy rằng hai vai này là vai phụ, nhưng diễn viên sẽ được diễn một cảnh hành động bắn súng rất ngoạn mục, rất hấp dẫn đối với những ai xưa nay muốn đóng phim nhưng chưa hề có cơ hội.

Buổi tuyển lựa diễn viên sẽ được thực hiện vào ngày thứ Bảy, 15 tháng 8, từ 1:00pm-5:00pm tại VAALA Studio, số 14772 Moran Street, Westminster, CA 92683. Để biết thêm chi tiết, xin liên lạc Steven Nguyễn qua email steven@risingbanner.com hoặc điện thoại (408) 391-0025.

Casting for Vietnamese-Language Psychological Thriller “Inferno”

Victor Vu (in white shirt) on the set of PASSPORT TO LOVE in Saigon, Viet Nam.

Saiga Films & Chanh Phuong Films are casting lead roles for writer/director Victor Vu’s newest feature film, the psychological thriller “INFERNO” - to be filmed entirely in Saigon, Vietnam, October - November 2009.

SYNOPSIS: This karmic tale of love, fate and redemption tells the story of a man who loses his memory and is nearly burned to death in a terrible car accident. As he attempts to piece together his shattered life, he unravels the shocking truth behind his own identity and the mystery surrounding his accident.

LOOKING FOR:

Males and females who are fluent in Vietnamese.

*MALE (early 30s) A sharp and handsome business-man who turns violent.

*FEMALE (early to mid 20s) Attractive, sophisticated house-wife with dark secrets.

All travel and accommodations, fees and compensation will be provided.

Please email HEADSHOTS and RESUMES to:

Mr. Nguyen An Vo (Saiga Films / Star Media Group JSC)
voannguyen77@gmail.com

Saiga Films / Star Media Group JSC
12B Phan Ke Binh
Dakao Ward, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam
Tel:  (84.8) 3911.8810
Fax: (84.8) 3911.8831

Chanh Phuong Films
25A - Floor 1, Nguyen Binh Khiem Str.,
Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam
Tel: (84.8) 3291.2179
Fax: (84.8) 3291.2178

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS: Victor Vu is the director of such films as “SPIRITS (Oan Hon)” and “PASSPORT TO LOVE (Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu),” the romantic comedy sensation that won Best Supporting Actress (Kathy Uyen) and Audience Choice at Vietnam’s Golden Kite Awards 2009.   With “INFERNO,” Vu and executive producer Ngo Duc Trung of Saiga Films have joined forces with Chanh Phuong Films, the production company responsible for the martial arts epic “THE REBEL (Dong Mau Anh Hung)” and the critically acclaimed “OWL AND THE SPARROW.”

“PASSPORT TO LOVE” (Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu) is set to be released in the United States through Everest Productions October 2009.

Timothy Linh Bui’s POWDER BLUE Released on DVD

A new film directed by Timothy Linh Bui is now available on DVD, reuniting Timothy with Oscar-winning star Forest Whitaker and Patrick Swayze, plus other big names such as Jessica Biel and Ray Liotta.

The film can be rented at Blockbuster or online on Netflix, and other places where movies are rented.

Timothy is, of course, the older of the Bui brothers that brought us Three Seasons and Green Dragon. It was on Green Dragon that Timothy first directed Whitaker and Swayze.

The film’s story, based on the oft-observed presmise that life is full of strange coincidences and serendipitous intersections, is co-written by Timothy and another Viet filmmaker, Stephane Gauger the director of Owl and the Sparrow. (Read more about Owl here and here.)

The four principal characters lead their separate, and desperate, lives - except for one guy, a mortician named after the typewriter keyboard (Qwerty), who’s strange but not desperate. These lives then intersect in the most extraordinary ways. If the Bolsavik were glib, he’d say this film is something like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams meets Crash.”

In Powder Blue, Forest Whitaker (first photo above; The Crying Game; Panic Room; Oscar winner for The Last King of Scotland) plays an ex-priest with a death wish. Unable to commit suicide as against Catholic teaching, he goes around with a loaded gun and a suitcase of cash seeking someone willing to off him.

Ray Liotta (second photo; Goodfellas; Smokin Aces) plays an ex-con, a former hit man just out of a long 25-year sentence. Facing a world totally transformed, he’s seeking redemption with one big good deed.

Jessica Biel (third photo; TV’s 7th Heaven; Blade: Trinity; Stealth) is a single mother with a son in a coma, and she does odd jobs an dancing in a bar to meet the mounting medical bills. Patrick Swayze (right) plays the slick guy in the bar, but he’s not her consolation - that one comes in the form of her pet dog. She becomes truly desperate when the dog went missing.

But the ex-priest does not meet the other two - yet. The one he meets is a young eccentric mortician who’s named after the typing keyboard - Qwerty Doolittle, played by Eddie Redmayne, a star of British television. In danger of losing his business, and with the ex-priest’s proposal, Qwerty faces a decision that could change his life.

Other big names appearing in the film include Kris Kristofferson (A Start Is Born; Country Music Hall of Fame) and Lisa Kudrow (TV’s Friends; Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion; The Opposite of Sex).

Courtesy www.Bolsavik.com

Bolinao 52 Won 2 EMMY® Awards

Filmmaker Duc Nguyen and Producer Mai-Phuong Nguyen, M.D.

Monday, May 18, 2009- The 38th Annual Northern California Area EMMY® Awards were presented Saturday evening, May 16th 2009 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. BOLINAO 52 received the honor in two categories:

NEWS AND PROGRAM SPECIALTY- Documentary

“Bolinao 52,” KTEH 54 / Rhimp Productions / Center for Asian American Media / ITVS

Duc H. Nguyen, Producer/Director

CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT- Musical Composition/Arrangement

“Bolinao 52,” KTEH 54 / Rhimp Productions / Center for Asian American Media / ITVS

Mark G. Izu, Composer

The Emmy® is awarded for outstanding achievement in Television by The National Academy of

Television Arts and Sciences. San Francisco/Northern California is one of the twenty chapters awarding regional Emmys®. Northern California is composed of television and cable stations from Visalia to the Oregon border and includes Hawaii and Reno, Nevada. Entries were aired during the 2008 calendar year.

809 entries were received in 62 categories, 239 were nominated and 77 receive the Emmy® statuette.

The ballots were tallied by the accounting firm of Spalding & Company of San Francisco.

The Complete list of Emmy® Award recipients can be viewed at: www.emmysf.tv/emmy09winpr.pdf

Film Synopsis:

Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, millions of refugees took the perilous voyage across the South China Sea to find freedom. Many died of drowning, starvation and thirst. Some were lost at sea for days while others were pillaged and raped by pirates. More than thirty years later, filmmaker Duc Nguyen, himself a boat refugee, retraces the odyssey of the Bolinao 52 - and reveals an incredible tale of survival, reconciliation and closure.  One hundred and ten refugees boarded a crowded boat one night in May 1988. Soon after leaving Vietnam, the boat’s engine died. They were ignored by over 20 passing ships. Nineteen days later, the USS Dubuque stopped but the ship’s captain refused to pick up the dying refugees. Facing death, they

resorted to cannibalism. After 37 days at sea, only 52 people survived. Finally, humble fishermen

rescued them to the coastal town of Bolinao in the Philippines. This is the true story of the Bolinao 52.

Bolinao 52 DVD was recently released.  The documentary won the Best Audience Choice Award at the 3^rd biennial Vietnamese International Film Festival (ViFF) in 2007.

For more information about the film and its progress please go to www.bolinao52.com or the BOLINAO 52 blog: bolinao52.blogspot.com.

Tze Chun’s “Children Of Invention” Set To Open LA Asian Pacific Film Festival

TZE CHUN’S “CHILDREN OF INVENTION” SET TO OPEN LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY THURSDAY, APRIL 30 AT THE DIRECTORS GUILD

Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, proudly presents Tze Chun’s CHILDREN OF INVENTION as the Opening Night film of the 25th anniversary edition of the Los Angeles Asian Film Festival on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Directors Guild of America.

Director/screenwriter Tze Chun, actors Michael Chen, Crystal Chiu, and Cindy Cheung, and other special guests are scheduled to attend the screening and answer questions from the audience. A reception in the DGA Grand Lobby will follow the screening.

CHILDREN OF INVENTION, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, is the story of two young children: Raymond Cheng (Michael Chen) and Tina Cheng (Crystal Chiu), living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother, Elaine (Cindy Cheung), disappears. This latest predicament seems all too familiar to precocious Raymond who dreams of taking care of his mother and sister with the fortunes garnered from his inventions. Little Tina, however, remains oblivious to their troubles. Meanwhile, lured by promises of easy cash, Elaine, finds herself drawn into another pyramid scheme, one that will jeopardize the welfare of the two things that matter the most her children.

Abraham Ferrer, Exhibitions Director at Visual Communications and Film Festival Co-Director, states, “We are excited to present the Los Angeles premiere screening of CHILDREN OF INVENTION at this year’s Film Festival. We have been following director Tze Chun career since his short film WINDOWBREAKER was presented at the 2007 Film Festival and we are honored to have him return to present his latest effort as our Opening Night Presentation.”

Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, was established in 1970. The organization has established a lengthy track record of pioneering achievements in producing, presenting, and preserving more honest and accurate representations of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in America. Visual Communications is also recognized as an incubator of emerging Asian Pacific American cinematic talent. The organization’s works have been exhibited in numerous venues and broadcast outlets around the world.

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is the Southland’s premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema; since 1983, the Film Festival has presented over 3000 films and videos by Asian international and Asian diasporic artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards.

The Film Festival is proudly sponsored by (as of presstime): OFFICIAL VEHICLE SPONSOR: Toyota; PREMIERE: Gilead Sciences, Directors Guild of America; OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR: Stella Artois; SILVER: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Southwest Airlines; BRONZE: CBS, Screen Actors Guild, SAG Indie; COMMUNITY: The Boeing Company, Eastman Kodak Company, Hilton Universal City, Writers Guild of America, West; GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts; SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Asian Pacific Community Fund, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, East West Players, Project by Project, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans; RECEPTION SPONSORS: Creative Floral Designs, Foto Cabina, Kirin Beer, LA18; MEDIA SPONSORS: angryasianman.com, LA Weekly, LA18, KPCC; VENUE SPONSORS: Directors Guild of America, Aratani/Japan America Theatre, Downtown Independent, Laemmle’s Sunset 5, National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.

The Opening Night Presentation of CHILDREN OF INVENTION will take place on Thursday, April 30th, 2009, 7PM at the Directors Guild of America, located at 7920 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046. Parking is free to the public at the DGA Headquarters Parking Lot (enter on Hayworth Ave.) and at 8000 Sunset Blvd, with validation. Tickets for the VIP Reception, Screening & Gala Celebration are $100 General; $75 Students, Seniors, & Members of VC/ DGA/ JACCC w/ I.D. Tickets for Screening & Gala Celebration are $30 General; $24 Students, Seniors, & Members of VC/ DGA/ JACCC w/ I.D. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (213) 680-4462, x59 or online at www.vconline.org.

Special Screening of BOLINAO 52

SPECIAL COMMUNITY HOMECOMING SCREENING OF
BOLINAO 52 : Remembrance, Reconciliation and Healing
With a Special RECOGNITION AWARD presentation to honor
CORWIN AL BELL, Former USS MORTON Commander

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009- 1 - 4 PM
BOWERS MUSEUM
2002 North Main Street
Santa Ana, California 92706
www.bowers.org

$15 General Public
$12 Museum Members (Tickets are available at bowers.org and the museum’s box office.)

March 23, 2008 — Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, millions of refugees took the perilous voyage across the South China Sea to find freedom. Many died of drowning, starvation and thirst. Some were lost at sea for days while others were pillaged and raped by pirates. More than thirty years later, filmmaker Duc Nguyen, himself a boat refugee, retraces the odyssey of the Bolinao 52 - and reveals an incredible tale of survival, reconciliation and closure.

One hundred and ten refugees boarded a crowded boat one night in May 1988. Soon after leaving Vietnam, the boat’s engine died. They were ignored by over 20 passing ships. Nineteen days later, the USS Dubuque stopped but the ship’s captain refused to pick up the dying refugees. Facing death, they resorted to cannibalism. After 37 days at sea, only 52 people survived. Finally, humble fishermen rescued them to the coastal town of Bolinao in the Philippines. This is the true story of the Bolinao 52.

Bolinao 52 was screened at the biennial Vietnamese International Film Festival in 2007 at UC Irvine. It won the Best Audience Choice Award at the festival.

The screening at Bowers Museum will culminate with a discussion panel on remembrance, reconciliation and healing that welcomes audience participation. A wine reception with light refreshments will cap off the program.

The panelists include:

Duc Nguyen, Filmmaker - A former boat person, the making of Bolinao 52 was a personal mandate for filmmaker Duc Nguyen to educate the world about the struggles of refugees. Due to the phenomenal response by international audiences to this film, especially from overseas Vietnamese viewers, he wants to use this landmark film to foster intergenerational and interdisciplinary dialogue and counseling.

Mai-Phuong Nguyen, MD, Associate Producer - Former co-chairperson of the student advocacy group, Project Ngoc-UC Irvine during the peak of the boat people’s plight against forcible repatriation back to Vietnam in the late 1980s. Dr. Nguyen brings extensive social and health advocacy experience along with her clinical expertise as a physician, to discuss how this film can be used to promote healing as well as cultural competency training for healthcare professionals serving immigrant populations.

Xuyen Dong-Matsuda, PsyD, Psychologist/Social Worker - A clinical consultant for the Orange County Asian Pacific Islanders Community Alliance and several other non-profit organizations with over 20 years experience serving ethnic communities, Dr. Dong-Matsuda will field questions. She has spoken on mental health issues on several Vietnamese radio and television shows and contributes regularly to print media. In 2004, the OC Register named her one of the Top 30 Vietnamese Americans to Watch.

BOLINAO 52 is a co-production of Duc Nguyen and the Independent Television Service (ITVS), produced in association with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and KTEH Public Television, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Additional funding is provided by All Roads Film Project and Pacific Pioneer Fund.

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