(lively music) (dramatic music) - Welcome to TVFilm.

I'm Amani Olugbala.

TVFilm showcases the talents of Upstate New York media makers across all genres.

In this episode, we introduce "Erie County Smile" directed by Van Tran Nguyen.

This film is a parody of "Paris by Night," a popular Vietnamese language television variety show.

"Paris by Night" gained notoriety in the Vietnamese diaspora community in the 1990s.

And it's still in production.

Music from the program was often recorded and played at Vietnamese-owned businesses all over the world.

Van, who grew up working in her family's nail salon, dedicated this film to the children of immigrants who spent their childhoods behind doors labeled "Employees Only.

"Erie County Smiles."

(lively music) (woman speaking in Vietnamese) (gentle music) (woman speaking in Vietnamese) (rustling movement) (machinery rattling) (woman speaking in Vietnamese) (woman singing in Vietnamese) (machinery rattling) (woman speaking in Vietnamese) (mechanical clickings) (lively music) - Please, join me in greeting your beloved host, Vanessa Tran Nguyen.

(audience clapping) (Vanessa speaking in Vietnamese) (audience responding in Vietnamese) - Hello everybody and welcome to the 153rd episode of "Erie County Smile!"

(audience clapping) We are so happy to have you here at the Knott's Berry Caesar's Palace Golden Nugget Casino and Spa Amphitheater!

Nothing but the best for you.

If you haven't already gathered from our stage hands and dancers, the theme of today's show is "The Year of the Rat."

This zodiac sign will be our guiding light.

The rat is the first animal within the zodiac.

The sly rat tricked the ox into giving him a ride on his back, then jumped off his head to be the first to arrive at the emperor's gate, making the rat the first in line for the 12 animals zodiac.

Clever and quick, the rat.

Remember to give offers to the rat for a year of prosperity and fertility.

Be mindful that the female rat can have up to 15,000 spawns a year!

Amazing!

We here at Erie County Smile have worked tirelessly to bring you world class entertainment.

Yes.

Yes?

Look around you.

Each curtain strand contains 80 crystals hand-strung by 37 anti-communists, which took three months to complete.

And the stage adorned with light fixtures flown in from the Czech Republic.

It was engineered specifically for us, for you, tonight.

(audience clapping) And, of course, that is only the backdrop for our star-studded roster.

You will be entertained by 79 of the best, absolute best talents from the diaspora.

Such stars as Lydia Trang Dai, Miss Viet Kieu Summer 2003!

The juggling twins, Phuc Lan and Phuc Linh!

Watch out Tom cruise, here comes Jonnie Bad Boy Truong, stunt actor and producer.

Our gifted animal wrangler, La Da Nguyen, with her baby tiger, Baby!

What's up, Baby?

(audience cheering) Diplomat, Henry Pham Du of New Jersey!

(audience clapping) Legendary songbird, Kim Tuyen, who is celebrating 10 years with us at our cultural residency in Las Vegas!

As always, everyone's favorite auntie, Lin Lin Bui!

And Don.

(audience cheering) All of which have denounced the Communist Party of Vietnam.

As we enter our 153rd episode, we're proud to look back at our humble beginnings and just to see how far we've come.

So please follow along as we reflect on our shared history.

We are delighted to share with you our very own hologram.

With the help of our sponsors, we've teamed up with Holoholo Entertainment to pioneer this new form of storytelling.

The amazing engineers have worked tirelessly to reconstruct our origin story so it too can live on.

(audience clapping) Music has captured the emotions of our people.

Songs lingering in the fields of liberation have given us reprieve, and compositions of love have given us hope.

Reprieve and hope were challenged as censorship from the Communist regime swept our home nation.

I am reminded of a famous censorship trial where a laborer transcribed a revolutionary song about freedom and was beaten to death by a guard.

Later, his corpse was found clutching a cassette tape in one hand, and unfinished lyrics in the other.

A song so potent, a message so dangerous.

One fateful moment in the last days of Saigon, April 30th, 1975, we left our homes to form the first substantial wave of the Vietnamese diaspora.

We traveled through the treacherous waters of the Pacific in search of a new home.

The first generation of refugees claimed asylum from an old friend, France.

After establishing our presence as an economic force, it was our moral imperative to resurrect the essence of the Vietnamese culture.

My colleagues and I had a desire to fill the cultural void.

Our aspiration was to connect songs from the motherland, with our new way of life.

(phone ringing) (phone receiver cluttering) And thus, Nguyen Tran Productions was created in the late 1990s.

As Nguyen Tran Productions was gaining momentum with a worldwide audience, we decided to replant our roots in Westminster, California, in Little Saigon, with a flagship in Western New York, the birthplace of "Erie County Smile" in 1997.

To effectively spread our influence, we took "Erie County Smile" on tour to every corner of the globe, Las Vegas, Singapore, Toronto, Houston, San Jose, Atlanta, Seoul, Prague, and Moscow.

With our foothold in the international entertainment industry, we hope to expand our special variety of diasporic culture.

Viet Kieu is the special mixture of old country and the new vanguard.

Celebrating our traditions with the next generation is paramount.

Passing down our language and our customs is the mission.

The memory of our people will live on through our children.

"Erie county Smile" is your resource for regenerating the Vietnamese abroad.

The intake of American media sours the morale of our boys and girls.

It's as plain as nature.

The Vietnamese banana, yellow on the inside, also yellow on the outside; but the American banana, yellow on the outside, white on the inside, chewy and weak.

This cautionary metaphor is our beacon of hope for upholding the Vietnamese excellence.

We have so much to celebrate and to be proud of.

We hope that encapsulates the mission of "Erie County Smile."

(audience clapping) Now let's take a moment to highlight our diamond level sponsor, CN Resort and Spa, shall we?

(audience clapping) - Hello.

My name is Lydia Trang Dai, and I'm Miss Viet Kieu Summer 2003.

And along with my crown, I won a three-night stay at the CN Resort and Spa.

And I'm here to present paradise.

CN has top of the line service and fully loaded amenities.

It has something for everyone, wet or dry!

You can dive into fun activities like swimming with dolphins, deep water poaching for abalone, or relax under a private cabana.

You could also register for your double eyelid surgery rehabilitation, or you can sign up to learn about how to open your own CN nail supply emporium.

Come to CN Resort and Spa where winners unwind.

(audience clapping) - We are eternally grateful for CN Resort and Spa's generosity.

The president of CN is a longtime companion to Nguyen Tran Productions and "Erie County Smile."

Please, everyone, join me in gratitude as we thank Vincent Ngo.

(audience clapping) (Vanessa speaking in Vietnamese) (audience responding in Vietnamese) Are you ready for karaoke?

(audience clapping) Now Vincent and his company have offered a voucher to paradise for one lucky audience member.

This contestant must sing along to a classic ballad, but no messing up!

This will be easy.

It's a song we all know and love, "Anh Hung" by Pham Ly.

(audience clapping) We've selected at random the contestant.

So please give a warm welcome to Kevin Le in seat D34!

(audience clapping) Kevin Le!

Oh, there you are!

Welcome!

As Kevin makes his way to the stage, I would also like to say that this voucher cannot be exchanged for cash prize and must be booked in advance.

Again, we could not possibly carry on this karaoke segment without the help from our sponsors.

Oh Kevin, hi!

How are you and where are you from?

- Edmonton.

I'm fine.

- Edmonton, great.

So that's in Alberta, correct?

- Yeah.

- As I mentioned today, you will be singing "Anh Hung" by Pham Ly.

Are you familiar with the song, Kevin?

- Yeah, my (speaking foreign word) really likes it.

- Ah!

Wonderful, wonderful.

I'm going to hand you this microphone and ask that you stand center stage as the music begins.

And Kevin, good luck.

(gentle music) ♪ As tough as a water buffalo ♪ ♪ As balanced as a basket boat ♪ ♪ Straight as a rice patty row ♪ ♪ You kept the family afloat ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ And that's why we ♪ ♪ Call you anh hung ♪ ♪ You're strong and wise ♪ ♪ Hero in disguise ♪ ♪ We salute you anh hung ♪ ♪ I am no longer a child ♪ ♪ The mirror shows me your face ♪ ♪ Though we live in exile ♪ ♪ Our strength cannot be erased ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ And that's why we ♪ ♪ Call you anh hung ♪ ♪ You're strong and wise ♪ ♪ Hero in disguise ♪ ♪ We salute you anh hung ♪ ♪ Your veins are the mighty Mekong ♪ ♪ Built to last ♪ ♪ We are four million strong ♪ ♪ Who am I, you ask ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ And that's why you ♪ ♪ Call me anh hung ♪ ♪ I'm strong and wise ♪ ♪ Hero in disguise ♪ ♪ We salute you anh hung ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ ♪ Anh hung ♪ (dramatic drumming) (audience cheering) Wow!

A star is born.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chris.

You can retrieve your price at the- - Did she say Chris?

Kevin, his name is Kevin.

Kevin!

- Give it up for Chris.

Chris from Edmonton!

Amazing Canadian pipes.

(audience clapping) (gentle music) Welcome back to Erie County Smile TV, the interview segment where we chat with important figures within our community.

Today, we have a very special guest.

She is the manager of her parents' nail salon, Classy Nails in Upstate New York.

In her free time, she loves to draw and paint and read books.

Her favorite book she'd like you to know is "Goosebumps."

Please help me welcome our guest, Van Tran Nguyen.

(audience clapping) - Hi, I would like to say thank you for having me on the show.

And I would like to pay my respect to (speaking Vietnamese) and my friends and my parents.

Thank you.

- Hello, Van.

That certainly sounds like everyone.

- I watch all your shows with my parents.

We always play your tapes at our salon.

- So you're a big fan of "Erie county Smile."

How darling?

- No, no, my parents just don't like to watch my movies.

- Your parents have great taste.

Have you ever seen "Spy Kids?"

No.

So your family owns a nail salon, such an important pillar in our exilic economy.

- What does exilic economy mean?

- It means that your mom and dad are not from here, but they made money here.

- Oh yeah, I don't really know.

I just go there every day after school.

Um, so yeah.

(bubbly poppings) Did you invent something?

(gasping) Are you the kid that won the National Spelling Bee?

- No, I don't think I've ever won anything.

Oh yeah, so I won tickets to go see NSYNC on the radio once.

And I went with my dad.

It was awesome.

It was so loud.

- Interesting.

We here at ECS treasure the next generation of Vietnamese Americans and want to empower you and your talents.

Why don't you share with us what those are?

- Well, as the manager of the salon, I answer phone calls and I book appointments.

And I did this just because I think my parents don't like to be on the phone all that much because they don't really like to repeat themselves.

So I take a lot of phone calls and I translate bills for them.

And it's because I know a lot of Vietnamese words, and I know that sometimes it takes more Vietnamese words to say one English word.

(coughing) - Wow, that's lovely.

The Vietnamese family unit is so important.

I, myself, am- (phone ringing) (phone receiver cluttering) - Who is that?

- As I was saying, (chuckling) I myself understand the value of responsibility and tradition.

- Yeah, I guess I just, I wish there was not that much responsibility, you know?

I think white kids don't really do this after school.

I think they go to clubs and sports and stuff.

I don't think they see their families until dinnertime.

- Well, that's because we cherish hard work.

- I guess.

My mom calls me a lot.

- I think that comes with the territory.

Mother and daughter relationships are quite complicated.

You know they have their own language.

- My mom, she calls me (speaking foreign word).

Is that a secret language or something?

- Sure.

(phone ringing) (phone receiver cluttering) - You can take that.

- Of course not.

I wouldn't take a phone call in the middle of a show.

- Well then why is there a phone here?

(phone ringing) (phone ringing) (phone ringing) (phone ringing) (phone ringing) - Hello?

(mom faintly speaking) Wait, mom I can't hear you.

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Oh, no mom, I'm so sorry.

I totally forgot.

(mom speaking Vietnamese) Yeah, I'm sorry.

I will, I will.

Wait, is this why you're calling me?

Because of your gym membership?

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Yeah, that's not true, mom.

I've just been so busy lately.

- Bi, ah.

- Yeah.

I'll do it, I promise.

I'll do it.

- I know.

I know it late.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) - Yeah, I don't understand why you're rushing me.

You don't even go to the gym.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) - Please.

- Yeah I know, you're being dramatic.

- You made a promise.

- I will do it, I promise.

I told you.

- Help me.

(Vanessa sighing) - Bi, where are you now?

I'm outside right now, I'm taking a break.

(low pitch croaking) (mother speaking in Vietnamese) Yeah, a little bit.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) - Wear your jacket.

- I'm putting it on.

- Don't forget your jacket, (speaking Vietnamese).

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Oh shoot, I forgot it.

Hey mom, have you ever had an astrology reading?

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Yeah, sort of, yeah.

(mom continue speaking in Vietnamese) Yeah, sort of.

Yeah, you did for astrology, but Zodiac is different, mom.

It's another- - Not good.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) - No, mom.

That's not what I mean.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) Mom, how could you possibly know everything about the future, that's nuts.

Besides, you told me, remember the zodiac woman told me that this is a year of bad luck for me.

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Mom, the zodiac teller told me that someone's gonna come and take all my money in the Year of the Rat.

Do you remember?

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Yeah.

(chuckling) (mom speaking in Vietnamese drowning out Vanessa) Mom, what do you mean?

Like people's lives, my life, isn't gonna stop because I get a bad reading.

Like, mom?

(low pitch croaking) - Bi, ah?

- What?

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) - That not telling you.

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Slow down.

(mom continues speaking in Vietnamese) - Yeah I know, mom.

I'm just curious.

I'm just curious, that's all.

Can you tell me what time I was born please?

- Bi, ah.

- Mom?

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) - Yeah, I understand that.

Yeah, this has a lot of meanings.

I I know, I like to pick and choose, mom.

(mom speaking in Vietnamese) Mom, if it's just a story, why are you so invested in telling this story?

Okay, now you don't understand.

Maybe your unlucky daughter just wants to know what time she was born, please?

- Okay, 5:00.

4:00 o'clock, 45 a.m. (lively music) (woman singing in Vietnamese) (song in Vietnamese continuing) - Learn more about the films and filmmakers in this season of TVFilm at WMHT.org/TVFilm.

And be sure to connect with WMHT on social media.

I'm Amani Olugbala.

(lively music) - TVFilm is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.