Muôi
Despite a tumultuous childhood, a complicated present as a queer single mom navigating the limitations of a restrictive and traditional Vietnamese culture, and the daunting prospects of a bleak future, Muội Hồng persists in dreaming of life as an artist. She finds healing, strength, expression, community, meaning, and authenticity in her pursuit of hip-hop dancing.
Interview with Director/Producer Amy Miller
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My director of photography Sylvestre Guidi fell in love with a wonderful person in Vietnam after we shot my film Tomorrow's Power. My partner and I went to Vietnam for his wedding, and while there we met Muôi, and thought it would be a fun and interesting project to film her and her artistic journey while we were in Vietnam.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You are getting to see a rarely-ever-seen slice of life in Vietnam
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
People are creative beings and the desire to figure out how to live creatively is something many (most?) people experience. Muôi's journey is a universal journey of self-discovery and desire to actualize beyond the circumstances they are born into.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It was a documentary, covid was a real wrench in the process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People enjoy the film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
People will learn about it, which is a hurdle with short documentaries.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We have distributors (Journeyman films for international, good docs for US) but now we need buyers!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like the film to be seen.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Being an artist is something anyone around the world can aspire towards.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am going to release a feature documentary Manufacturing The Threat at DOXA in May!
Interview: April 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Muôi
Despite a tumultuous childhood, a complicated present as a queer single mom navigating the limitations of a restrictive and traditional Vietnamese culture, and the daunting prospects of a bleak future, Muội Hồng persists in dreaming of life as an artist. She finds healing, strength, expression, community, meaning, and authenticity in her pursuit of hip-hop dancing.
Length: 30:00
Director: Amy Miller
Producer: Amy Miller
Writer: Amy Miller
About the writer, director and producer:
AMY MILLER is an award-winning director, producer, and writer based in Montréal. Her documentaries have been screened at festivals throughout the world, have been broadcast in over two dozen countries, and are included in the library catalogues of hundreds of universities and colleges worldwide.
Key cast: Muội Hồng
Website: wideopenexposure.com/muoi
Other: IMDb
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Cannes Short Film Corner