Director Khoa Trong Nguyen (R) and Cinematographer Dominic Perreira look at the frame

Director Khoa Trong Nguyen has spent thirty years pursuing his dream.

Having moved to America when he was a boy, he travels back to Vietnam to find his roots. To his surprise, he is led into a vortex of 21st century hedonism by his friend Lam. This is a side of Saigon he didn’t know existed.

Late night parties, massages, beautiful women - Dung should be having the time of his life. But something is missing. He knows there is more to life than all of this…

Dung is the main character of “14 Days,” the new Vietnamese film that premiered last week and is now showing in theaters around the country.

“It’s a story dealing with what young people are going through today,” says the director and screenwriter, Khoa Trong Nguyen.

“Initially you’re really enamored by the fast lifestyle, [but then you] realize that there are more important things in life, the importance of love family and helping others.”

The premiere of the film last Tuesday night was filled with all the glitz and glamour the Vietnamese film industry has to offer. At the center of everything was the director, finally able to enjoy the fruits of his labors. But looking back, it was a long road getting there…

Khoa’s journey began in Vietnam, when he left with his family in 1975. They eventually settled in Southern California.

As a child, Khoa suffered from severe asthma, and he wasn’t able to play outside like his two brothers and the neighborhood kids. So he watched movies. Lots of them.

He grew up on Steven Spielberg and George Lucas - Star Wars, Jaws, ET. And at the tender age of 7 he knew what he wanted to do with his life.

However, treading the path of the artist wasn’t easy. His parents encouraged him to take up a profession that was more ‘stable’ – medicine, law, even the military. “Coming out of high school, I applied to West Point to please my father. But I eventually turned down the appointment because I knew it wasn’t the right road for me.”

Khoa, determined to walk his own path, eventually found his way to the University of California at Los Angeles, studying something more up his alley – fine art with an emphasis in photography.

As a student, Khoa discovered audience test screenings. When a Hollywood studio wants to test audience reactions to a movie before its release, they organize a free screening and hand out tickets on the street. You’re only permitted to attend one a month. Khoa went four to five times a week.

With his filmmaking passion rekindled, he bought books on screenwriting. Then he wrote his first screenplay, about a man who wakes up from a coma after 20 years and goes looking for his childhood sweetheart.

This led him to hone his screenwriting skills by getting a Masters Degree at the University of Southern California, one of the most prestigious film schools in the world.

But as with many journeys in life, Khoa’s film career would soon take a detour. His intelligence has always given him options, and after graduation he opted for stability. After earning another masters degree in telecommunications from Golden Gate University, Khoa spent six years with his Network Engineering team planning, designing and managing the Internet infrastructure in California.

Until he heard the siren call of his passion once more. In 2005, he took out his 401k, packed his bags and returned to his homeland. He came back to finally do what he was meant to do.

With “14 Days,” Khoa hopes to follow in the footsteps of his original inspirations, Lucas and Spielberg. He makes movies to inspire people. “I want to tell stories that touch people in a positive way, that make them better for having experienced them.”

So after treading a long trail sweat and tears, “14 Days” is made and in theaters. What’s the next step?

First of all, Khoa is going to look for a little peace and quiet after a hectic year. He’ll take a break before continuing to teach video production and writing at RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City. And he’ll finally be able to spend some time with his new bride.

In the middle of the chaos of making the movie, Khoa got married. Two weeks later, he flew back to the US to finish the film, leaving his wife behind in Vietnam. He’s got returned they’re looking forward to their honeymoon.

Khoa is excited about this new path.

“Marriage is a new chapter in my life. I’m looking forward to the journey, and all that lies ahead.”

“14 Days” is now playing in theaters around the country. It is showing in Vietnamese without subtitles.

Reported by Aaron Toronto