YOU'VE written and directed a new TV mini-series called Better Man, about the young Australian Van Nguyen who was executed in Singapore in 2005 for drug smuggling. What attracted you to the story?
Van Nguyen is the last Australian to suffer the death penalty. At the time, vigils were held in every state and TV reported live from outside Changi Prison; it divided the nation. I knew there had to be an incredible personal story behind it. As I began researching, the great drama and tragedy of it all unfolded - on the night before he was executed he stood before his closest family and friends and sang his favourite song, Robbie Williams' Better Man.
How closely did you work with the family? What was their reaction?
I spoke with Van's mum, Kim, and I don't really want to go into those conversations - but she is an incredibly strong woman who has managed to honour a sense of her own peace.
The story itself is pretty grim; how did it affect you?
It's not a grim story, far from it. Those who knew Van would often comment on his charisma, wit and sensitivity. But beyond Van, Better Man's other protagonist is Julian McMahon (played by David Wenham), a Melbourne barrister who, along with his lawyer Lex Lasry (Bryan Brown), spent years working for free to try to save Van's life. Their dedication was inspirational.
The shock-jocks would say Van Nguyen got what he deserved. How do you react to this attitude?
I would ask, "If your son or daughter was 22, had no prior criminal conviction, had made an incredibly stupid blunder that was of no 'direct' harm to anyone and was to be executed, would you still be saying the same thing?" He deserved punishment, but death?
Your mum plays Van's mother in the series - did you get her on the cheap?
Mum has now featured in five films and two TV shows so she's probably the most experienced Vietnamese screen actress of her age in the country - she steals every scene she's in! Seeing her work alongside Bryan Brown and David Wenham has been one of the great joys of my career.
How has this affected Van's legal team?
They put in such a huge effort to try to save his life, far beyond what you might expect most lawyers would do. There's no doubt Van's case has had a profound effect on them.
In his book The Happiest Refugee, your brother Anh described your family's escape from Vietnam. Was there a time things could have spun out of control as they did for Van?
From an early age we learnt so much from our parents, seeing their immense struggles as refugees, how hard they tried to overcome the toughest of times and the incredible sacrifices they made.
How was it having your life laid bare? Have you forgiven your brother for the photo of you in a dress?
Yeah, that photo. To be honest, I don't really mind. For as long as I can remember we have shared our stories and our experiences.
Does having your own story told in that way affect the way you tell other people's stories?
Having Anh tell our story was eye-opening as it made me realise how many "perfect" moments we've actually had that took place in the most difficult of times. I take the same approach and remember that in the darkest of times, there's often a perfect moment around the corner.
What's next?
I'm taking a short break, in which I'll ponder how to take revenge on my brother for publishing that photo of me.
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