1. Your films Chances Are (2001), The Rebel (2006) and Fool For Love (2010) have 5 and 4 year gaps between between the productions. Many people probably don’t know that you are actively involved in live concerts, music videos and documentaries in addition to film. What were you working on during those gaps?
Charlie: Apart from directing multi-camera concert, music video, documentary and so on I spend lots of time developing movie projects. It’s just a time consuming process. I also try to write and read as many books as possible on my downtime. Lately I have a few ideas for television which I’m also developing along with my next feature.
2. Fool For Love has a very “Hollywood/American film” theme to it and has been a very big success in Vietnam. Do you think your cross cultural background has influenced you and your vision as a filmmaker in this film and other projects? How so?
Charlie: I believe so. The way I tell any story is very much influenced by American films. I don’t really know how to tell a story otherwise. But I’m also very keen on Vietnamese culture and sensibility. I guess it’s been working out well in that regard.
3 Do you see yourself more as a Vietnamese filmmaker bringing films to an American market, or vise versa?
Charlie: I don’t think of myself in that sense. Everything stems from the script. Storytelling to me is universal. I just try to find the best way to tell the story with a camera.
4. Your wife is a very successful business woman in the music industry. Do the two of you get involved in each other’s careers and if so where do your careers overlap?
Charlie: Our careers don’t overlap at all. Although her work is involved with music, she’s technically a marketing person. We just support each other in our projects.
5. What projects are in the works for you now?
Charlie: My next film is a comedy/action/gangster genre. We’re in the writing stage now.
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