Consider This from NPR How 'The Sympathizer' confronts Hollywood's version of the Vietnam War
May 17, 2024
Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, discusses his novel 'The Sympathizer' and its adaptation into an HBO series. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating Vietnamese perspectives into the narrative of the Vietnam War, often overlooked in Hollywood. Nguyen examines the moral complexities of iconic films like 'Apocalypse Now' and how they present a predominantly American viewpoint. Through satire and cultural commentary, he challenges these narratives and sheds light on the identity struggles faced by Vietnamese characters in film.
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Nguyen's Conflicted Viewing
- Viet Thanh Nguyen felt conflicted watching Apocalypse Now as a Vietnamese-American.
- He didn't know whether to identify with the Americans killing or the Vietnamese dying.
Missing Perspectives
- Hollywood's Vietnam War films lack Vietnamese perspectives, often portraying them as silent extras or one-dimensional figures.
- The Sympathizer subverts this by centering a Vietnamese double agent.
A Contradictory Protagonist
- The Sympathizer's protagonist, the Captain, is unique for being both Vietnamese and a communist.
- He embodies contradictions, being fascinated and repulsed by America simultaneously.
