"The Sympathizer" actor speaks on not feeling connected to his Vietnamese roots until securing the lead part.
In Hoa Xuande's case, borrowing the 2016 Pulitzer-winning novel "The Sympathizer" by Viet Thanh Nguyen led to something unexpected. He later became the lead in HBO's TV adaptation of the book, with notable director Park Chan-wook guiding the production. After sending his audition tape, Xuande purchased the book and read it thoroughly.
"The Sympathizer" is set in the 1970s and follows The Captain, an undercover agent for the Viet Cong working within the American-backed South Vietnamese army. The series switches between timelines, chronicling The Captain's journey in the US after the fall of Saigon.
Xuande, who was born in Sydney, Australia, took on more than just a role of a lifetime. He utilized this opportunity to deepen his connection to his Vietnamese heritage. Ahead of filming, he improved his Vietnamese language capabilities and uncovered hidden aspects of Vietnamese culture.
"I never really felt connected to the culture my Vietnamese parents spoke about - the Vietnam War era," he shared. "I only had my Australian friends. Now, with this series, I'm not only representing a character but also a larger story about the Vietnamese experience during the war."
"It's a privilege to embody a role that highlights the Vietnamese experience while working alongside a mostly Vietnamese ensemble cast," he added.
Xuande acts opposite notable celebrities such as Robert Downey Jr. (2022 Oscar recipient) and Sandra Oh (Emmy-award-winning "Killing Eve" star). Other Vietnamese actors featured in the series include Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, Alan Trong, Phanxine, and Kieu Chinh, famous for her role in "The Joy Luck Club."
Chinh portrays a refugee mother to a South Vietnamese Major (Phanxine) who must leave their home during the Vietnam War and start anew. Sharing a similar background, Chinh identifies strongly with the experience portrayed in the series.
"This is my life," the 86-year-old actor expressed. "The evacuation, the refugee camps, building a new home in a different country - it's all part of it."
Oh, who portrays Ms. Sofia Mori, a second-generation Japanese-American with feelings for The Captain, spoke of the importance of accurate representation in the entertainment industry.
"The chances we give to first-time SAG members show how much the industry is evolving," Oh said. "Our new Vietnamese cast members were green and inexperienced. I helped guide them."
Xuande attests to Oh's guidance on set, treating her as a mother figure despite their differences in age and experience.
The casting process for The Captain was a tough task for Jennifer Venditti and her team. Xuande stood out among thousands of applicants with his screen test, leading him through an arduous eight-month audition process. He visited Los Angeles and South Korea to meet with Phillip Kim, Park Chan-wook, and the rest of the team.
"Park Chan-wook hired him because he exuded simultaneous charisma and vulnerability, reminiscent of Hollywood stars during the '70s," co-creator Don McKellar explained. "Xuande got how the director's style worked by studying his previous films."
Throughout the show, Xuande was able to develop a strong relationship with Park, learning how to incorporate his direction into his delivery.
"I learned to understand Park's body language and what he needed from me to bring The Captain's character to life."
With "The Sympathizer" already available on HBO, audiences can enjoy a gripping narrative with a unique perspective. If the series is renewed for a second season, it's likely that Xuande will revisit the library to find Viet Thanh Nguyen's "The Committed."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
