Live With Five

In the upscale West Loop neighborhood stands Vietfive, a Vietnamese coffee shop owned by Tuan Huynh, who is widely respected as a leader in the Chicago Asian American community. However, he also has a complicated personal and family history. When he first arrived in the United States as a refugee fleeing oppression in Vietnam, he was only 3. But the New World was also harsh to him. He was accused of first-degree murder just past his 18th birthday…

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Behind the scene:

I met Tuan when I was writing a story about local small businesses in West Loop, Chicago. He was one of the sources for the story. When I left his shop after interviewing him, he said to me that it was dangerous to walk into a closed shop with even shades shut. His attitude and personality impressed me. And, when I went back home and started organizing my source list, I realized he had been interviewed several times before by various news organizations. His story was unforgettable, and I read them with utmost curiosity. So, when I had the chance to produce a documentary, the first person that came to my mind was Tuan. Luckily, he accepted the offer and we became friends, and the time spent working on this documentary was truly unique and memorable.

Equipment: Sony FS5, DJI Pocket 2, Light, Wireless Mic, Boom Mic, Tripod

Shooting period: April - May, 2023

Editing period: May - June, 2023

Award: Emmy nomination from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chicago Midwest Chapter, Non-Fiction - Short Form category