Tony Nguyen Traces His Father's Story 50 Years After the Fall of Saigon in "Year of the Cat"
The International Examiner's latest issue (Vol. 53, No. 5) features an interview with filmmaker Tony Nguyen about his documentary "Year of the Cat," screening at SAAFF 2026 on Sunday, May 31 at 11am at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.
Tony has been making films about his family for over a decade. His 2015 short, "Giap's Last Day at the Ironing Board Factory," is a tender portrait of his mother, who escaped Saigon while pregnant and ended up working in an ironing factory in Seymour, Indiana. That film explored the emotional distance between Tony and his mother, and the absence of a father he never knew.
"Year of the Cat" picks up that thread and follows it all the way through. It's an investigative documentary where Tony sets out to uncover the identity of his biological father, lost in the chaos of the Fall of Saigon 50 years ago. The film weaves together humor, heartbreak, and family history, exploring how the children of refugees carry the weight of war and displacement across generations.
What started as a personal project became a family experience. Tony screened the film privately for his mother and kids before sharing it publicly, and describes the process as a breakthrough in his relationship with his mom. He also traveled to Vietnam to reconnect with family and trace his roots, a journey that deepened both the film and his own sense of identity.
The interview was conducted by SAAFF Programming Director Adrian Alarilla, and you can read the full conversation in the International Examiner's May 2026 issue, available in print and through their digital archives.
Originally published in the International Examiner, Vol. 53, No. 5 (May 6 - June 2, 2026). Article by Adrian Alarilla
