# Derek Nguyen

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Filmmaker and playwright

Derek Nguyen Nguyen at the 2021 Tribeca Festival Born 1973 (age 52–53) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Education UC Santa Barbara, New York University Occupations Filmmaker, Playwright

**Derek Nguyen** is a Vietnamese-American filmmaker and playwright best known for his 2016 feature film *[The Housemaid](/source/The_Housemaid_(2016_film)) (Cô Hầu Gái)*, which was shot in [Vietnam](/source/Vietnam) and produced by [CJ E&M Film Division](/source/CJ_E%26M_Film_Division), HKFilm, and [Timothy Linh Bui](/source/Timothy_Linh_Bui).

## Early life and education

Nguyen was born on February 19, 1973, in Saigon (currently [Ho Chi Minh City](/source/Ho_Chi_Minh_City)), Vietnam. In April 1975, his family left Vietnam for the United States as refugees of the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War) during the [Fall of Saigon](/source/Fall_of_Saigon). After being [boat people](/source/Boat_people), Nguyen’s family settled in [Orange County, California](/source/Orange_County%2C_California), where Nguyen spent his childhood.

Nguyen studied at [UC Santa Barbara](/source/UC_Santa_Barbara)[1] earning an undergraduate degree in Dramatic Arts, and attended the Film Producing Certificate Program at [New York University](/source/New_York_University)’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies.

## Career

Nguyen began his career as a playwright. His play *Monster* was produced at [East West Players](/source/East_West_Players), [Pan Asian Repertory Theatre](/source/Pan_Asian_Repertory_Theatre).,[2] and [Public Theatre](/source/Public_Theatre) New Work Now, and received an [Edgar Award](/source/Edgar_Award) nomination for Best Play by the [Mystery Writers of America](/source/Mystery_Writers_of_America).[3] In 2004, the [Sundance Institute](/source/Sundance_Institute) encouraged Nguyen to adapt the play into a film. Subsequently, Nguyen wrote the screenplay and participated in the 2004 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.[4][5][6]

In 2007, Nguyen collaborated with theater artist Soomi Kim on *Lee/gendary*,[7] a multidisciplinary theater piece about the life and death of Bruce Lee. It received three 2009 [New York Innovative Theatre Awards](/source/New_York_Innovative_Theatre_Awards),[8] including Best Production of a Play for its run at the [HERE Arts Center](/source/HERE_Arts_Center) in New York City.

Nguyen’s 2011 short film, *The Potential Wives of Norman Mao*,[9] starred [Ed Lin](/source/Ed_Lin), [Tina Chen](/source/Tina_Chen), [Cindy Cheung](/source/Cindy_Cheung_(actress)), Ron Nakahara, and was narrated by [George Takei](/source/George_Takei). It screened at the [Cannes Film Festival](/source/Cannes_Film_Festival) Short Film Corner, [LA Shorts Fest](/source/LA_Shorts_Fest), and the [Asian American International Film Festival](/source/Asian_American_International_Film_Festival), among others.

In 2015, Nguyen wrote and directed [*The Housemaid*](/source/The_Housemaid_(2016_film)) (*Cô Hầu Gái* in Vietnamese[10]), a gothic romance horror film set in 1953 Vietnam during the [First Indochina War](/source/First_Indochina_War). It tells the story of an orphaned country girl who falls in love with the French landowner at a haunted rubber plantation. Produced by HKFilm Vietnam, [CJ E&M Film Division](/source/CJ_E%26M_Film_Division), and [Timothy Linh Bui](/source/Timothy_Linh_Bui), the film has been released in 19 territories around the world and is the third-highest-grossing horror movie in Vietnam.[11] It had its North American premiere at the 2017 [Los Angeles Film Festival](/source/Los_Angeles_Film_Festival).[12][13][14]

In 2019, Nguyen co-founded the production company *The Population* with producers [Mynette Louie](/source/Mynette_Louie) and [Mollye Asher](/source/Mollye_Asher).[15][16][17]

## Filmography

- *Futurestates: Mr. Green* (2010, short) – Associate Producer

- *The Potential Wives of Norman Mao* (2011, short) – Writer, Director, Producer

- *[Addicted to Fresno](/source/Addicted_to_Fresno)* (2015) – Associate Producer

- *[The Housemaid](/source/The_Housemaid_(2016_film))* (2016) – Writer, Director

- *[Lovesong](/source/Lovesong_(film))* (2016) – Associate Producer

- *[Buster's Mal Heart](/source/Buster's_Mal_Heart)* (2016) – Associate Producer

- *[The Tale](/source/The_Tale)* (2018) – Associate Producer

- *[The Long Dumb Road](/source/The_Long_Dumb_Road)* (2018) – Associate Producer

- *[Catch the Fair One](/source/Catch_the_Fair_One)* (2021) – Executive Producer

- *The Resemblance* (2022, short) – Writer, Director[18]

## Awards

- **1998–99** Van Lier Emerging Artists of Color Playwriting Fellowship at [New York Theatre Workshop](/source/New_York_Theatre_Workshop)[19]

- **1999** Y2K New Voices Play Competition Winner at [East West Players](/source/East_West_Players)

- **2003** [Edgar Award](/source/Edgar_Award) Nomination for Best Full-Length Play (*Monster*)[20]

- **2004** [New York Foundation for the Arts](/source/New_York_Foundation_for_the_Arts) Fellowship[21]

- **2004** [Sundance Institute](/source/Sundance_Institute)’s Screenwriters Lab[22]

- **2006** Urban Artist Initiative Screenwriting Grant[23]

- **2009** [New York Innovative Theatre Awards](/source/New_York_Innovative_Theatre_Awards) Winner. Best Production of a Play, Best Director, and Best Featured Actress for *Lee/gendary* (Writer)[24]

- **2013** [Center for Asian American Media](/source/Center_for_Asian_American_Media) (CAAM) Fellowship[25]

- **2020** The Starfish Accelerator Fellowship[26][27]

- **2022** Future Gold Film Fellowship, presented by [Tribeca Studios](/source/TriBeCa_Productions), [Netflix](/source/Netflix), and Gold House[28]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Everett, Todd (16 March 1995). ["Theater Reviews: 'Voices' Accentuates Cultural Diversity : Derek Nguyen's anthology of monologues and sketches offers original views of Asian American life"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-16-vl-43215-story.html). *L.A. Times*. Retrieved 29 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Vietnam Project II—Monster"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180111110242/http://www.panasianrep.org/vietnam_project_2_monster.shtml). *Pan Asian Repertory Theatre*. Archived from [the original](http://www.panasianrep.org/vietnam_project_2_monster.shtml) on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Category List—Best Play"](http://theedgars.com/awards/category-list-best-play/). *Edgars Database*. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Harris, Dana (16 December 2003). ["Sundance scribe lab tabs 12 projects"](https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/sundance-scribe-lab-tabs-12-projects-1117897199/). *Variety*. Retrieved 19 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Hernandez, Eugene (17 December 2003). ["Sundance Sets Slate of 12 Projects for January Screenwriters Lab"](https://www.indiewire.com/2003/12/sundance-sets-slate-of-12-projects-for-january-screenwriters-lab-79265/). *IndieWire*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kay, Jeremy. ["Sundance names 12 scripts in prestigious Screenwriters Lab in Jan"](https://www.screendaily.com/sundance-names-12-scripts-in-prestigious-screenwriters-lab-in-jan/4016541.article). *Screen Daily*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Collaborators"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052840/http://www.soomikim.com/collaborators). *Soomi Kim ✩ actor/performing artist ✩*. Archived from [the original](http://www.soomikim.com/collaborators) on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["2009 IT Awards Nominees"](http://www.nyitawards.com/anr/2009honorees.asp). *New York Innovative Theatre Awards*. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Toyoshima, Tak (17 December 2010). ["Interview with The Potential Wives of Norman Mao writer-director Derek Nguyen"](http://secretasianmancomics.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-with-potential-wives-of.html). *Secret Asian Man*. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["'Cô hầu gái' - Bó buộc nỗi sợ hãi trong sự lủng củng"](https://znews.vn/co-hau-gai-bo-buoc-noi-so-hai-trong-su-lung-cung-post681950.html). *Zing.vn*. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Kil, Sonia (9 December 2016). ["IFFAM: Korea's CJ Pushes Vietnam Productions as 'Housemaid' Debuts"](https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/korea-cj-pushes-vietnam-productions-1201937686/). *Variety*. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Warren, Matt (9 May 2017). ["2017 LA Film Festival Competition Lineup Announced! What's Playing and How to See It"](https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/2017-la-film-festival-competition-lineup-announced-whats-playing-see/). *Film Independent*. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Erbland, Kate (9 May 2017). ["LAFF 2017 Announces Full Slate, Including Competition and Episodic Offerings"](https://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/laff-2017-full-slate-competition-episodic-1201814529/). *IndieWire*. Retrieved 19 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hipes, Patrick (9 May 2017). ["Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils 2017 Lineup"](https://deadline.com/2017/05/los-angeles-film-festival-2017-lineup-movie-list-1202087690/). *Deadline Hollywood*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** N'Duka, Amand (7 January 2020). ["Producer Trio Launches Indie Company The Population With Sundance Film 'I Carry You With Me'"](https://deadline.com/2020/01/producer-trio-the-population-sundance-i-carry-you-with-me-1202823523/). *Deadline*. Retrieved 13 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Mueller, Carol. ["Mollye Asher, Mynette Louie and Derek Nguyen found production company The Population"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200113020203/https://themediatimes.com/mollye-asher-mynette-louie-and-derek-nguyen-found-production-company-the-population/). *The Media Times*. Archived from [the original](https://themediatimes.com/mollye-asher-mynette-louie-and-derek-nguyen-found-production-company-the-population/) on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Galuppo, Mia (7 January 2020). ["'The Tale,' 'The Rider' Producers Team for New Production Banner"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tale-rider-producers-team-new-production-banner-1267604). *Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 13 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["The Resemblance | 2022 Tribeca Festival"](https://tribecafilm.com/films/resemblance-2022). *Tribeca*. Retrieved 2022-08-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["NYTW Artistic Fellowships"](https://www.nytw.org/artist-workshop/2050-fellowships/). *New York Theatre Workshop*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The Edgars Database"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200731232503/http://theedgars.com/awards/). *TheEdgars.com*. Mystery Writers of America. Archived from [the original](http://theedgars.com/awards/) on 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2017-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["NYFA Directory of Artists' Fellows 1985-2013"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/NYFA_WebAssets/Pictures/6b2ad3f7-2970-4032-9d75-d886c72943cd.pdf) (PDF). *New York Foundation for the Arts*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Hernandez, Eugene. ["Sundance Sets Slate of 12 Projects for January Screenwriters Lab"](https://www.indiewire.com/2003/12/sundance-sets-slate-of-12-projects-for-january-screenwriters-lab-79265/). *IndieWire*. Retrieved 7 December 2003.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Asian American Arts Alliance Grantees"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141018091952/http://aaartsalliance.org/page/all-grantees). *Asian American Arts Alliance*. Archived from [the original](http://aaartsalliance.org/page/all-grantees) on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2017-11-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["2009 IT Awards"](http://www.nyitawards.com/anr/2009honorees.asp). *New York Innovative Theatre Awards*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["2013 CAAM Filmmaker Support"](https://caamedia.org/for-mediamakers/filmmaker-support/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Puya. ["Starfish"](https://www.starfishaccelerator.com/). *Starfish*. Retrieved 2022-08-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Drury, Sharareh (2020-01-22). ["Accelerator Starfish Launches Program for Diverse Talent (Exclusive)"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/accelerator-starfish-launches-program-diverse-talent-1271866/). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 2022-08-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Gold House Futures"](https://goldhouse.org/gold-house-futures/). *Gold House*. Retrieved 2022-08-09.

## External links

- [Review of early work in *L.A. Times*](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-16-vl-43215-story.html)

- [Derek Nguyen interview in *Asia Life Magazine*](https://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/writer-director-derek-nguyen/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093126/https://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/writer-director-derek-nguyen/) 2017-09-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Derek Nguyen](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1532529/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Derek Nguyen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Nguyen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Nguyen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.