"I Want You to Live" the film is a project that highlights the key components of diversity, hardship, and strength. It is based on a true story about the director’s parents as they were neighbors in the city of Saigon, Vietnam. Then, the war broke out and their home was stolen from them. They were separated from their family and friends in the midst of the chaos, and didn’t reunite until years later in another country that was new to them. Though, the story is told through the eyes of their daughter, someone who is Asian-American and wasn’t present during that time. She tries to overcome the obstacle of grief and loss by the connection to her mother’s journal. The question is: will she cling to her mother’s story? or, will she write her own?

Lia Nguyen is an Asian-American teenager who loses her parents to cancer at early and later stages of her life. She finds her mother's journal which details her life from adolescence to adulthood. In the journal, she describes her escape from the Vietnam War and the life and death situations she encountered on her way to America. Once she reached America, she struggled to work before saving money to attend school. There, she reunites with her next door neighbor before marrying him. Through this, Lia discovers a part of her family that she has never known and she meets new characters on the way. In her own journey, she emerges stronger- carrying on her family's legacy.

Characters:

Lia Nguyen (protoganist) is an Asian-American (Vietnamese) teenager who must overcome the grief and loss of her parents after they pass away from cancer in two different stages of her life. She finds her mother's journal where Kim Nguyen docuemnted her whole life from adolescence to adulthood. There, Kim discusses the details of her family's escape from the Vietnam War and voyage to America, starting anew.

Kim Nguyen (mother of Lia Nguyen) and prominent part of the film. Kim Nguyen leaves her daughter her journal so that she is able to find her way around hardships that she faces. While Kim Nguyen is not physically there, her voice and spirit elevate the journal entries that Lia discovers. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Lia's neighbor and friend to the late Kim Nguyen), serves as a guiding light for Lia, she talks her through mental health and the memories she shared with Lia's mother. They form a family bond and learn to love life again, despite loneliness and difficult times.

Avian Nguyen (Lia's older sister) is someone who is important to Lia. She is Lia's only sibling but Lia must figure out how to live without always relying on her sister. After a few bumps in their relationship after losing their mother, Avian and Lia must bridge the gap that is in between them. 

Director: Milla Nguyen

Producers: Brian Nguyen & Julio Ramirez 

Director of Photography: Juliet Falanco

Production Designer: Meghan McCullin

Editor: Faith Popov 

Together, the team behind "I Want You to Live" is one that is diverse and one that is dedicated in representing the message that struggle/ hardship is universal- everyone goes through difficult times in their life, but leaning on your family and friends can transform grief into strength. As the director, I am dedicated in sharing these type of stories to raise awareness and in realizing the sentimentality of life. Several crew members are of Asian-American descent/ heritage and their families had gone through the same story my family had when they escaped during the war. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our crew features members who have various talents, goals, and backgrounds. 

Now, to the important part. This entire crew is made of film and non-film focused university students. As a senior graduatio project, this is more than just a project to pass by. We all believe that more representation, POC stories, and student filmmakers should be important to the industry. Our overall goal is $2500 in which we would use this money towards food, equipment, stock footage, and more. Even more so, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure a healthy, safe, and professional set for all cast & crew. Our plan is to provide masks, hand sanitizers, and training in order to ensure safety. As on overview, around $900 will be delegated towards equipment. Around $300 will be utlized for food for crew/cast and supplies. Another $400 for stock footage rights/ post production editing roughly. The rest will be put towards insurance, location permits, and production design (set, props, wardrobe, hair+makeup, and more). 

As we begin the new school year with the hopeful production of this project, I wanted to say a few words on behalf of my crew as well as myself. Not only is the project a real-life visual story that represents the experiences that my family has went through, I would like for this project to represent all communties of all different backgrounds. It is no question that through this past year, everyone around us has gone through tough times in the midst of the pandemic and changes in the world. To me, the art of filmmaking is one that I have cherished for a long time- it brings people together and creates emotions when we hear other stories and I'd like to dedicate this not just to my family and friends but you and your loved ones as well. This film explores the darkest times of life's lows but also how we can get back up on our feet again even when it doesn't seem possible. Some films that have inspired me include, "The Farewell", "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once",  "NomadLand", "Joy Luck Club", "Ladybird", "All the Bright Places", "Parasite", "Crazy Rich Asians", "Minari" and "Perks of Being a Wallflower".

Here's how you can support!

In order to spread the word and to inform about the message behind this film, sharing social media and our seed and spark campaign can make a big difference! Because of your support, we will also be able to educate about AAPI/ POC causes and create entertainment awareness for ALL audiences.

Following us on instagram for updates, auditions, and when you can watch the film at the end of the year premiere/ screening: @Iwantyoutolive_thefilm on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iwantyoutolive_thefilm/)

Following our campaign right here on Seed & Spark! Click the button to follow our campaign & keep up to date with our fundraising goal! (https://seedandspark.com/fund/i-want-you-to-live-the-film#story) 

Bookmarking our website for a more in depth look of our cast & crew: (https://iwantyoutolivefilm.wixsite.com/millanguyen)

And finally, sharing with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you so much for your consideration and support of our project, we dearly appreciate it. 

Feel free to copy & paste this message:

Help Vietnamese/ AAPI student filmmmaker, Milla Nguyen (@milla_nguyen.co) and her crew in making "I Want You to Live" the film by sharing their social media (@iwantyoutolive_thefilm) and their seed & spark campaign (https://seedandspark.com/fund/i-want-you-to-live-the-film#story).

Want to see a film created by a diverse & youth-based crew of student filmmakers, delving into a strong AAPI/ POC story? Check out "I Want You to Live" the film by sharing our social media @iwantyoutolive_thefilm and our seed & spark (https://seedandspark.com/fund/i-want-you-to-live-the-film#story)