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Available October 5, 2024 7:00 AM UTC
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In The Empathizer, director Fred Le travels to Vietnam to explore why his mother refuses to return to the homeland she left. There, he interviews a number of Vietnamese expatriates who have made a living in Vietnam, including artists, athletes, business owners, and students. Each discusses the contradictions between what they learned about Vietnam during their own Western upbringings and their experiences in present-day Vietnam. It might appear, at first, that The Empathizer is leaning so heavily on the views of the young Việt kiều (the Vietnamese diaspora) who emigrated back to Vietnam, but Le eventually returns to the source of why this film exists. And when he does, The Empathizer finds its emotional and moral center.


Aptly titled, The Empathizer pushes the audience to consider the diverse viewpoints and experiences of the various Vietnamese diaspora approaches to Vietnam. It blends humor and gravity in articulating the lasting effects of division, suspicion and animosity borne out of war, forced migration, and politics. The film speaks directly to the children of Vietnamese refugees who seek to empathize with the tribulations of their parents, but often cannot fully grasp the effects of displacement-induced trauma. Highlighting the rift between generations, The Empathizer pushes the audience to explore ways to build empathy and understanding.


By Y Nguyen

Upon learning of her mother's passing, May returns to Vietnam after being away for 20 years. While attending the funeral rites, May harbors a deep sense of curiosity about her parents' separation in relation to her mom's practice of Hầu Đồng (Mother Goddess Worship).

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    19:44
  • Language
    English, Vietnamese
  • Country
    Viet Nam
  • Director
    Catherine T. Nguyen
  • Screenwriter
    Catherine T. Nguyen
  • Producer
    Catherine T. Nguyen, Jenni Trang Le
  • Cast
    Judy Song, Minh Trang Nguyen, Nhu Quynh Nguyen, Phuong Hanh Nguyen, Nân