Young sitcom writer and film director Huynh Nguyen Dang Khoa created My Best Gay Friends with a very simple purpose in mind.
“I wanted to show people that homosexuals have ordinary lives, full of emotion, friends, family — very normal lives,” he said in an AFP interview.
That purpose has gone a long way, as evidenced by how his number of audiences have grown.
“I thought it would only interest Vietnam’s gay community — but we’re hearing that parents, grandparents, whole families watch and love the shows and long for new episodes,” he said in an AFP report.
My Best Gay Friends, considered to be the first gay sitcom in Vietnam, debuted in 2012 and since then has created a cult following. Its first episode has over 1.5 million views and it’s latest episode (the 11th) is growing over 500,000 views.
The web series follows typical lives of young in their 20s in Ho Chi Minh City; most of them are LGBT. Episodes have English subtitles non-Vietnamese viewers; the humor throughout the series is light and relatable (there are laugh tracks too, in case you miss out on the punchlines).
My Best Gay Friends, despite being filmed on a low budget and with only an SLR camera, is able to explore the idea of the LGBT lifestyle in Vietnam where homosexuality is taboo, yet is changing social norms.
In this interview, Khoa, who currently studies film directing in Ho Chi Minh University of Theatre and Film, talks about his experiences while filming, his favorite episode, and his plans for the rest of the series’ episodes. He also shares some advice to young aspiring filmmakers.
Which among the episodes of My Best Gay Friends did you enjoy filming the most? Why?
I enjoyed filming episode 9 the most because it was challenging and it took a lot of effort to make. We had to move continuously in order to film many segments in many different places in one day.
Despite working all day nonstop to finish as scheduled, everyone was still very enthusiastic. The folks who participated in the wedding scene were equally excited too. Although it took some time to start and finish shooting (we finished at 10 PM) they still performed at their best.
Share a memorable experience that you’ve had while filming.
I met many new friends wanting to join in film, and then they became my real friends. They supported me and did their best while filming. This makes me surprised and happy.
We had to deal with security personnel when we were shooting scenes at a bus station and a park; they told us that filming was prohibited despite the absence of a “no filming/camera” sign.
However, when a foreigner uses his camera in the same place, the security wouldn’t say anything. We were lucky to have finished shooting enough scenes before being driven away.
(Hilarity ensued when the main characters’ apartment burned down and Khoa mourns his loss)
Which episode is your favorite? Why?
My most favorite is episode 4. It explores the idea of online relationships, online dating, and the perils of pursuing such. In the episode, Khoa was scammed by his date and lost his mobile phone.
That scene was a reflection of what happened to me in real life; I experienced that! After watching this episode, many people shared that they had been in the same situation.
I also have a fondness for episode 9, and how it pictures an actual same-sex wedding ceremony despite not being a social norm in Vietnam.
The point of the episode was the right gay couples to love and live together.
What software do you use to edit your videos?
I use Adobe Premiere Pro to edit and Adobe After Effects to add visuals when necessary.
What are the challenges that you faced while filming? How did you overcome these?
I often encounter financial and technical challenges. I’m not rich, so it’s essential for me to save money in order to film. I use my own equipment and natural light.
I usually spend 25-50 USD for the actors’ food and allowance when shooting one episode. We shoot in locations/apartments of friends. My friend, who has a recording studio helped me, too!
I edit the episodes myself. And after the film became popular and being effective with its LGBT advocacy, all the effort that I put into making it became worth it. People start to extend help in any way they can. I’m very happy.
How does it feel to be famous in YouTube? What do people tell you when they see you in the streets or in a public space?
I easily get judged by my action and speech.
I meet a lot of people and get to deal with different personalities when I became known for my sitcom. I have a lot of “anti-fans,” too. They talk to me impolitely because we have different opinions on things. They also talk behind our backs.
But no matter what happens, I think that it is important to stay true to yourself despite being judged unfairly by others.
I often remind myself not to be seduced by fame and change because of it.
There are many people who recognize us on streets. They are very friendly, excited about the series. We managed to organize two meetings with a lot of fans.
People sometimes want to take photos with us (me and my actors); they ask for a signature when they recognize us on the street or somewhere. But that happens rarely.
How important is social media in spreading your LGBT advocacy?
Social media makes information on LGBT and equality more easier to spread and to access.
What should we look forward to seeing in the next few episodes? What is going to happen to Rje, Nhat, and Khoa?
The rest of the episodes will focus on exploring love and relationships of the main characters. There will be togetherness and separation, too! A few new characters will appear with many interesting scenes.
What are your plans for the final episode of the series? Will My Best Gay Friend have more than 15 episodes?
It will only last until the 15th episode. In my opinion, everything should have a good ending at the right time. And ending is what makes a story worthwhile.
(starstruck–Vietnamese style haha)
What filmmaking advice can you give to young and aspiring filmmakers in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia?
I find that filmmakers in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia tell stories in conventional and sentimental ways, rendering their film dull. This goes against my philosophy, which is to entertain and educate. Audiences don’t need dull things for entertainment; films shouldn’t make people feel pity for characters.
Through good entertainment and education, people can understand what they see and provoke them to ponder the ideas presented in a film after they’ve watched it.
Planning is very important. A film director should always challenge himself to find new and creative ways to shoot scenes, without losing focus on the story.
When making a film, always stay humble and self-aware. Know what you can do and what you can’t do. Set goals and limitations. Don’t plan to do something too ambitious then give-up halfway. I learned this lesson the hard way.
Remember to do everything with heart and passion.
(With translations by Nguyen Thao; this interview was first published in the October issue of Vietnam Economic Times’ lifestyle magazine The Guide; watch My Best Gay Friends in YouTube in http://youtu.be/CdPHPBAEBQ4)
writing detours 