Did you ever want to be in a film? “Shadow Man” is a thesis film that is about to go into production in May 2009. More info about the film is below. Casting at the bottom.
“Shadow Man” is an ominous dark drama, about LAM, a Vietnamese man, struggling to re-immerse himself into a world he left behind. Set in the backdrop of the last days of the Vietnam War, Lam fights to free himself of his demons and as a result brings the scars of war home with him. Upon his return, Lam discovers his son, DAN (6), is not the infant he had held in his arms so long ago. The love for his wife, KIEU, is now a foreign concept. PHONG, the brother he had trusted to protect his family is more a father figure and husband than him. The life Lam had built slowly unravels as he witnesses the affection between Dan and Phong. Lam tries to overcome this by embracing Kieu as a lover only to leave her in fear of him. In search of sense of stability Lam attempts to bond with his son, Only to be told by Dan that his father is the shadow man. Unable to grasp a child’s imagination Lam’s paranoia takes over. He proceeds to accuse his wife and brother of infidelity. The paranoia turns to violence as Kieu and Phong try to help him. Lam stabs his brother and banishes his wife leaving him and his son. Dan rejects him and shows him that the Shadow Man is that of his imagination. Lam realizes that the ghosts of his past hinder any hope of a loving family. Lam makes the decision to give Dan back to Kieu and entrusts Phong to watch over them as a father to his son and husband to his wife. Lam returns to the shadows of the jungle.
Shadow Man Trailer
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Casting Information
If you are interested in the role contact Casting Director Nadine Truong (email: ntruong@afifellows.org)
Lam
Lead/Male/Vietnamese speaking/30 – 40 years
A man of ethics and values, Lam leaves his pregnant wife to fight the war against the Communists, joining the Americans. He changes into a jaded and violent man, unable to communicate with his family, and makes a big mistake which he will regret for the rest of his life.
Kieu
Lead/Female/Vietnamese speaking/ 20 – 30 years
Lam’s wife, beautiful, a woman of strength and perseverance. During her husband’s absence, she tells her son the story of the shadow man, providing him with a surrogate father. She is loyal, hardworking, a good mother and a good wife.
Phong
Lead/Male/Vietnamese speaking/ 20- 30 years
Lam’s younger brother, easy going, unselfish for most of the time, takes care of his brother’s wife and helps raise her son
Dan
Lead/Male/Vietnamese speaking/ 4 – 7 years
Lam’s and Kieu’s little son, grows up in a small hut during the entire course of the war, and thrives on his mother’s stories about the Shadow Man. He’s not scared to speak his mind, but is intimidated by the new man in his house…Lam.
Veronique
Lead/Female/Vietnamese speaking/ 18 – 30 years
Prostitute at a high class bar, which caters to American GI’s. She is more sophisticated than other girls around her, and tries to make a connection to Lam on a personal level. As he treats her condescendingly, she turns aggressive. She too is jaded from the war.
Little Girl
Supporting/Female/Vietnamese speaking/ 6 – 10 years
Village girl, who is caught off guard while playing by Americans raiding her village. She is terrified, and watches her father being gunned down, and her mother dragged away.
Man
Supporting/Male/Vietnamese speaking/ 30 – 40 years
Father of the little girl, he is held at gunpoint by the Americans. He is a regular uneducated peasant, who only joined the Communist cause, because his family was given food and medicine. He is eventually shot.
Woman
Supporting/Female/Vietnamese speaking/ 20 – 40 years
Mother of the little girl, uneducated peasant, she is held at gunpoint by the Americans. After witnessing her husband’s murder, she is dragged into a hut by an American to be raped, but is rescued by Lam just in time.
American GI #1
Supporting/Male/Caucasian/ 30’s
Overeager GI, who is jaded from the war himself, his rage at the situation manifest itself in his hate for the Vietnamese and his need to want to rape a village woman.
American GI #2 and #3
Supporting/Male/Caucasian or African-American/ 20’s
Eager, cautious, fighting this war for the right cause, protective of their own units. . Note: Additionally to principal photography for the film, high resolution photographs will be taken on set by a professional photographer (different for behind the scene stills photography) of all featured talent and will be released to them as part of compensation.
Bar Girls
Featured Supporting/Female/all Asian ethnicities/ 18 – 40
NO NUDITY, will require bikini tops (selected to wear bottoms), skirts, dresses, etc., These girls set the tone of the film. They are seemingly having fun with the Americans, yet underneath their façade, we spot hurt and despair. Note: Additionally to principal photography for the film, high resolution photographs will be taken on set by a professional photographer (different for behind the scene stills photography) of all featured talent and will be released to them as part of compensation.
Village Women
Featured Supporting/Female/ all Asian ethnicities/ 25 – 70
Inhabitants, whose village is raided by an American troop. Terrified, submission, fearful. Requires improvisation skills. Note: Additionally to principal photography for the film, high resolution photographs will be taken on set by a professional photographer (different for behind the scene stills photography) of all featured talent and will be released to them as part of compensation.
Village Men
Featured Supporting/Male/ all Asian ethnicities/ 25– 70
Inhabitants, whose village is raided by an American troop. Terrified, submission, fearful. Requires improvisation skills. Note: Additionally to principal photography for the film, high resolution photographs will be taken on set by a professional photographer (different for behind the scene stills photography) of all featured talent and will be released to them as part of compensation.