#NGUYENKITCHEN – The courage to tell your story without worrying about respecting other people's expectations

Synopsis: Yvonne Nguyen, a French-Vietnamese actress, dreams of a successful career in musicals, much to the disappointment of her mother who would prefer a more serious path for her. Forced to return to her mother's house, the two women realize that they have now become strangers. But in the intimacy of the kitchen of the family's Vietnamese restaurant, they begin to reconnect.

Meantime, Yvonne continues to chase her dreams and finally gets the chance to audition for a big show.

Director's notes: for several years, in my short films and in my shows, I work on issues related to the Vietnamese diaspora in France: on the one hand because these are topics that affect me personally, on the other, why, despite the importance of this community, there are practically no works of fiction that talk about it. Today I think it is necessary to make our voice heard, tell and share our stories.

Stéphane Ly-Cuong

Review: Pink feathers, sequins and theater costumes, Yvonne's mind never stops imagining herself as the protagonist of great musicals. To sing, it is spontaneous, courageous and has stage presence, but there is a problem; He has Vietnamese origins. Born in France, she does not speak her parents' language but her origins are written on her face. Who would accept a Cleopatra with almond-shaped eyes? Despite the difficulties, Yvonne does not lose heart and her dreams do not become smaller. While waiting for success he divides his time between various jobs, She is a poster girl in a shopping mall and works in her best friend's small theater, director and music producer. The mother also joins, than having seen it lost, to make her responsible he forces her to work in his restaurant.

An opportunity finally arrives that could represent the turning point he's been waiting for; Philippe Vernon, famous director, he is looking for an oriental woman to portray one of Casanova's lovers. Yvonne will run. Nguyen Kitchen simply tells the story of the reality of many migrant families. Parents far from their own country clash with the local language and customs while children born and raised in what was a foreign land for their fathers absorb the culture but clash with a society that forgets the multitude of ethnic groups that are part of their nationality. Yvonne will therefore have to find the courage to tell her story without worrying about respecting other people's expectations. A film not to be missed, deep, delicate and fun.

But here's the trailer released by KITCHENFILM

Maria Valenti Ben Moussa