by Long Bui
Funny Money Puts Hilarious Spin on Modern Vietnamese Life
Soon to be released is Funny Money or Tiền Chùa, a new comedy starring Vân Trang and Khương Ngọc (who appeared together before in movies like Saigon Electric) providing a wacky take on the supernatural. The movie tells of people trying to survive an increasingly materialistic world involving the story of Lucky Loc who makes a living producing high-end fake ghost money but who eventually encounters some bad luck. Believing his misfortunate came from giving a torn bill to a young girl who had ransomed it, Loc must now go on a dangerous search to get back his luck with disastrous results. The following is an interview with the director:
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What inspired you to write this story? | ∧ |
My wife and I were at a restaurant and a waitress returned the bill because it was torn. I thought it would be cool to a story about this because every Vietnamese has encountered this problem. There is a lot of inherent comedy in the movie, the satirical kind based on comedic situations. |
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Why did you focus on themes of materialism and wealth? | ∧ |
This is how our lives are becoming, not just in Vietnam but everywhere. In Vietnam, you see it more clearly because there is a drastic shift in the lifestyle and people flaunting their wealth. You see it more in drastic terms. |
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How was it working with main leads, Van Trang and Khuong Ngoc? | ∧ |
Van Trang has that unique comedic sense among other Vietnamese actresses and picks up the humor easily. A lot of the people who came in for casting read the scenes like a tragedy, a sad story but she has a good sense of comedic timing and picked up on it. The character is psychologically and emotional complex, more subtle. For Khuong Ngoc, we originally meant the character to be older and been around the block. I thought he was too young and kinda a "hot boy." He convinced me to pick him for the role so I asked him to gain weight so he was game. |
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How does this project relate to your next project? | ∧ |
I want to make a movie that I would want to see and hopefully what audiences want to see. I have a few things in the works. A lot of these things take time and haven't reached their potential yet. Everything is collaborative. Every major producer or contributor in the film has a cameo in the film. |
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Why is Viet Film Fest important to you? | ∧ |
I'm pretty amazed with the organizers for pulling this off. It's become something that Vietnamese or overseas Vietnamese meet each other or showcase your work and build this kind of community. It gives filmmakers a sense of legitimacy and community. Oftentimes, we work in very isolated circles. |
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Explain the increased exchange between Vietnamese and Vietnamese American filmmakers. | ∧ |
There's definitely going to be more Vietnamese filmmakers. Here, it's tough to get a job. In Vietnam, there's a wider audience and there's more opportunity. It is hard to make a film made and get it distributed in a large scale. In Vietnam, there are young filmmakers who are exciting because they're not bound by rules taught in school and can get their hands on cameras very cheaply now. |
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How is working and living in the U.S. and Vietnam for you? | ∧ |
Being a Viet Kieu in Vietnam, you're never Vietnamese enough or even American. It can be an advantage. I'm of the last generation that I was old enough to develop the sensibilities of what it means to be Vietnamese but young enough to assimilate into American society. So it's a unique perspective we have. |
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What filmmaker influenced you growing up? | ∧ |
I admire all of them. I try not to emulate them. All the major names but definitely Martin Scorsese. Even his bad films are more interesting than a lot of "good" films. |