Binh Bong Bot - "Billion-dollar screenwriter" makes his directorial debut with the film "Disrupting: Mom's Birthday".

Binh Bong Bot, once dubbed the "billion-dollar screenwriter," is trying his hand at directing for the first time."Birthday disruption: Mom's birthday"He said he didn't actively choose his profession."The movie chose me"Having overcome many challenges, he views this journey as a process of learning, healing, and serving the story.

When you are "chosen" to go from screenwriter to director.

Why did you, a "billion-dollar screenwriter," choose to switch to directing?

Each screenwriter only has a limited number of stories and material to work with. So I started a company to invite young people who love storytelling to join me. Because we all loved this script, we decided to keep it and make it ourselves. Initially, the director was someone else, but for many reasons, most importantly, the image of the script suddenly danced in my head, and so I followed that calling. That means the film chose me as director, instead of the other way around.

Before taking on this new role, did you prepare yourself in any way, or did you simply act on instinct?

I sought guidance from mentors, asked experienced people for advice, and searched for in-depth courses online, but ultimately there were too many paths to choose from. After getting lost in this maze, I decided to follow my heart. That means letting things happen naturally, and correcting mistakes as they arise.

What was the biggest challenge when you transitioned from screenwriting to directing? Were there times you wanted to give up?

After the first week, I just wanted to give up. I was terrified of the morning. I was a new director, but I had to work with two veteran actors, Ms. Ai Nhu and Mr. Thanh Hoi. They were legends of the theater stage, as well as writers, directors, and owners of a theater troupe. Even communication on set required a lot of thought to avoid hurting anyone's feelings while still ensuring everyone understood my intentions.

And I'm someone who likes change. When working with a director of photography, I always want things to be better than what was initially planned. But even a slight change can force the entire crew of dozens to adapt. There are all sorts of difficulties, especially when venturing into a new field. At that time, I only had unwavering faith, an illusion that I could do it… Filmmaking is like playing a game. You start on easy mode, then medium, then you move up to hard, and being a director is the hardest level of all.

What was the biggest lesson he learned from his debut film?

The film taught me to wait. Waiting for the rain to stop, waiting for the lights to come on, waiting for the actors to finish their makeup… Everything boils down to time. If you're impatient, you easily get angry and hurt others. While my goal is to make a healing film, I can't afford to hurt my colleagues. A month on set was a month of "learning." Due to lack of experience, storms, and all sorts of unforeseen circumstances, all the pre-production plans fell apart, and I had to rewrite the script based on what we filmed the day before. But perhaps because of that, the actors performed better; they already knew their lines, so when I revised them, the dialogue felt fresh and had a different energy.

During post-production, the film became a completely different version from what was shown on set. I could say I made three films: the one on script, the one on set, and finally the one in the editing room. Even after editing, I still felt something was missing, so I shot more, which drove up costs and forced me to borrow money. Getting the film to theaters was a grueling journey…

After numerous script revisions, how did you manage to ensure the film remained true to the original vision?

I realized the story chose its own way to emerge. It was already there; I was simply listening and serving it. When I was on location, the story "spoke" to me:"It should be like this, friend, it's not like what you wrote, please rewrite it."And I listened, letting that flow continue. When I got back to the editing room, the story went like this:"My friend, that's how it should be now"...And so, I did everything I could, and the story gradually took shape.

Many people ask me if I regret cutting out expensive scenes. I don't regret it at all, because the final version is the best the story wanted to be.

"The story" guides the storyteller.

Did the "story" guide him?

Yes, the story led me there. William Shakespeare didn't kill Romeo and Juliet; rather, those two characters used him to enter the world. Writers and artists have a sensitivity; they feel it and write it down. Therefore, in psychology, there's a theory that when you write, it's an unconscious act, not a conscious one. The first words are your fingers typing, but once you've entered the "flow," those words are no longer typed by you. The Creator uses you to convey something already present, something few people see, so when you present it to everyone..."Wow, that's amazing!"But it was actually already there.

The director is the same. At first, I prepare, pray to the ancestors, chat with the crew, and then when I shout..."air"Everything just flowed along. At the end of the day, looking back, I also wondered:"Why did I say those things, do those things?"

All the stories he tells stem from personal experience; he doesn't intentionally try to tell a particular story to everyone.

I believe the story already existed; I was just fortunate enough to be sensitive enough to hear and retell it. Sometimes I feel complacent, but ultimately, I still feel the need to give something back to life. I used to think..."I wish my mother had never given birth to me."Now, I am grateful for being born, for being able to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

I am fortunate to be able to earn a living, to have a house to live in, and a car to drive. I get to do the job I love, while so many people out there struggle to make ends meet and have to give up their dreams… God has given me so much, so I must give back by telling beautiful stories, stories that can soothe and help others feel better.”"There's still a way out in life, my friend."

As a director, what new discoveries have you made in your works?

I found myself drawn to stories involving single mothers."Tomorrow"As a single mother, Mrs. Tâm is no exception. That's a continuation of the story from the time of Âu Cơ – our ancestor. With a country at war for thousands of years, and countless women raising children alone… perhaps I was unconsciously drawn to it.

Looking back now, what do you think was your biggest challenge?

When the film was released, I felt completely exposed to everyone. Because I had brought out very private parts of myself and presented them visually, it was like I was "naked" in front of the audience and inviting them to come and see. (Laughs)

I'm familiar with the media environment, but I can't handle the media hype. I'd be embarrassed in front of big-name artists, so I'm stuck trying to sell the film. Even so, I still believe the film has its own destiny. It might not be a blockbuster, but it will endure and spread thanks to the genuine audience who connect with it.

Do you plan to continue directing in your next film?

I haven't felt that urge yet...

Text: Hai Anh - Photos: Bot Creative Hub