Documentary - Denny & The Reggae Remedy

RI010 - Denny & The Reggae Remedy - 09/2016

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updated: 2022-02-14

Around this time, the amount of work at Rice was unbelievable. We were working day and night non-stop. I was only able to go to home sleep and eat before headed back to the office. I did mentioned it with Andy and the response was we will get more people it.

One day I got the news from Linh that there is this Indonesia band that was coming to Sài Gòn for a night before going to Đà Nẵng for their tour - perfect for a One Night Stand. That was when I met Denny, a raggae musician with the band named The Reggae Remedy were having dinner at Shanty. Time was very limited so we did the interview while they were having dinner. Nobody expected the excitement of Denny and the band lead to a suprised performance right at the restaurent. Their energy really purged all the stress of time and life. Right at the Shanty, I remembered having the vision of the sun right in front of me and Denny was that sun emitting all the lights. The joy they brough was truly very unique.

The disappointment of this project happened around the timestamp of 02:57 when I insisted that Phương not to cut the camera. This shot was cut short due to the reason of “not up to standard for Rice publishing quality” from Đông. Unitil this day I still have no clue on which logical base that the quality of a film that I am titled Director is determined by someone who was not involved?

If there is any dispute about the creative side of a documentary, I would think that the subject of the film is the one who is entitle to demand changes. This very key reason that I was determined to leave Rice.