Interview with Suboi, Lead Actress of Bitcoin Heist
1. “Bitcoin Heist” is the first major cinematic action thriller set in modern Viet Nam. Can you tell me how this film differs from other Vietnamese films that you have worked on?
First I would like to look at Bitcoin as a movie fan and it’s obviously a new type of genre for a Vietnamese film. The first movie that I ever worked on was “Đoạt Hồn”/Hollow and from what I see, Ham Tran is someone who wants to make a difference. He is bringing genres and themes that you typically see in Hollywood films and using them for local Vietnamese films. I like that because he is trying to make Vietnamese cinema grow and become different.
2. “Bitcoin Heist” features many different characters of diverse skill sets. What was it like working with the other cast and crew members?
Everything is kind of new to me. Working in music, especially being a solo rapper, I didn’t get a chance to work with so many people where everything has to sync at the same time. I earned good friendships with people who are truly passionate about their path, and they are special in every way. It opened me to other creative people who work in different fields — acting, producing, set building, even magic! It was a lot of hard work but it was fun to collaborate with artists too.
3. Following “Hollow”, another film which you also worked with director, Ham Tran; this is your first major leading role. What was it like preparing yourself for the role and working with Ham?
When Ham asked me to do a workshop with him, I thought he would give me some acting lessons but he didn’t. He made sure to spend time with actors and actresses, especially when they are new, to find their own way in creating their characters. I am lucky since Ham wrote this role for me, it was quite natural and he catered the character towards my own characteristics and strengths. But, it was still very challenging because my character goes through a roller-coaster of emotions — extreme anger, fear, love, anguish — so I was so exhausted by the end of the shoot. But what I see on screen, it was all worth it.
4. You are known as the top female rapper in the Vietnamese music industry. Tell us how does acting compare to rapping?
It is a challenge. My music is always about being true to myself but when it comes to acting, I’m someone else. It gets inspiring when I start to put myself in others shoes just to imagine what would it like to be them, and when everything is done, I can be thankful of being who I am, with a new vision, win-win. I’m back to my music and happier than ever but to act again, why not? I want to challenge myself and I also want to learn so that’s a good thing. It makes me evolve in my creativity.
5. Do you hope there will be a “Bitcoin Heist 2”; what do you think might happen to some the characters in the sequel?
I have no idea, I just think it’ll be interesting, especially with Ham writing and directing again.
Interview with Anderson Le, Producer of Bitcoin Heist
1. “Bitcoin Heist” is the first major cinematic action thriller set in modern Viet Nam. Can you tell me how this film differs from other Vietnamese films that you have worked on?
Every Vietnamese film that I’ve helped produce has been a new genre for the local industry — SAIGON ELECTRIC is a hip hop movie and HOLLOW is a horror film. BITCOIN HEIST incorporates the heist/con-artist genre that I love and director Ham Tran and I are always trying to change up our game. One of our inspirations is the film SNEAKERS. We wanted to do a heist film set in Vietnam but honestly, there is no Fort Knox type place to rob there. We have a mutual friend, Scott Nguyen, who works in IT and he introduced us to Bitcoin, which he regularly trades and uses for currency. Although not officially recognized by the Vietnamese government, bitcoin has become quite big in Vietnam so that was our answer when it came to the idea of what the jackpot was that our heroes had to steal.
2. There are numerous action sequences throughout the film. Tell me how you were able to shoot the action scene in the hotel.
Amazingly, that was all done on a soundstage. It was choreographed by an amazing stunt team and we had our VFX supervisor Viet Cyclo on set to help with setting up markers where the squibs and bullet ricochet effects would be plated. Also, I want to give a shout out to Ngo Thanh Van, who also was a trooper and contributed to the action scenes. With her action film background, she was a great asset for this scene. We were on a very tight schedule, and what Ham and the team choreographed was very ambitious, but we got what we needed.
3. “Bitcoin Heist” features many different characters of diverse skill sets. What was it like working with the other cast and crew members?
It was great. We worked with a mix of veteran actors and newcomers. Suboi is a rapper, Petey Majik is a magician, Thanh Pham is a well known Vlogger and Internet personality, so there was a learning curve but it was also like summer camp. People from different walks of life come together and they learn to work as a team. Again, I don’t want to sugarcoat it because production was grueling with the tight schedule we had, but it was a rewarding process for everyone.
4. Do you hope there will be a “Bitcoin Heist 2”; what do you think might happen to some the characters in the sequel?
Ham and definitely have ideas for a sequel already in place. We would probably change it up and make it a different kind of action genre. In this film, we went international and also moved the production to Taipei. For the sequel, we’d love to shoot in another country too. Australia maybe? The US? Hey, if you know any film investors, let me know!
