Pho for Four [p.4]

Tuan came into the industry as an actor, and remembers the unexpected response from his parents. Says Tuan, “I think it was hard for them to see me struggle as an actor at first. But it was weird. One day, they were like, ‘If you want to act, go ahead.’ So I kept acting.” Tuan knows that parents worry about their children, so he gave everyone at lunch this amusing bit of advice, “As long as you pay your bills, they’ll get off your back.”

As for me, my parents were pretty cool with my decision to pursue filmmaking and are very supportive. I think they are happy to see me pursue something that I enjoy. However, now that I’m working in the entertainment industry, they do want me to increase my television appearances.

“But it’s just acting. It’s no big deal.”
Of course, no Pho for Four discussion would be complete without a scintillating, controversial, and spontaneous tale about sex. After all, sex sells right?

As we paid the bill and exchanged phone numbers, Tuan talked about working with his wife on Finding Madison. Not only is Tuan’s wife the writer of his film, but she also plays the lead character. When we ask Tuan about this unique situation, he replies, “My wife wrote a film that had a lot of sex in it. It was weird. She had three sex scenes with three different guys. But it’s just acting. It’s no big deal.”

And on that note, this is Pho for Four signing off.

For more information, check out:
The Queen from Virginia, www.doubleohthree.com
Saigon Love Story, www.saigonlovestory.com
Finding Madison, www.findingmadison.com
Project: Involve, www.filmindependent.org
Blossom Restaurant, www.blossomrestaurant.com

David Ngo is the director of the award-winning documentary The Queen from Virginia, which is currently touring the film festival circuit. His website is www.doubleohthree.com.