Project 1: “Bringing the Black Knight to Vietnam” In a country where the average monthly income is just $300, face-to-face English conversation with foreigners is a luxury reserved for wealthy urban families. Rural and low-income students are left behind, stuck in classrooms that focus on outdated grammar drills. Minh, a determined 20-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, envisioned a radical solution: hire fluent African English speakers as motorbike taxi drivers, turning each ride into a face-to-face English lesson. But while the idea sparked hope among young Vietnamese, it also sparked a backlash—skeptical investors, visa barriers, entrenched racism, and, ultimately, fierce opposition. When his partner's home is burned down by locals and innocent lives are taken, Minh is forced to confront the question: Can a dream built on unity survive in a divided world? Project 2: “Hell Across the Border”
After failing his college entrance exams and fearing to disappoint his parents, Minh runs away from home. But during a drunken reunion with old friends, he wakes up to find himself in Cambodia. Across the border, they force him to make scam calls to his own people, forcing him to meet a quota of 20 victims per month. If he fails, he will be brutally beaten and mentally tortured. When his limit is reached, Minh has only one choice: risk his life to escape that hell and flee to Vietnam – his homeland.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Which journal entry stood out to you?
Thanks so much in advance!
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As loglines, these are way too long and seem like synopses.
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Hey! I really liked Project 2: “Hell Across the Border.” The concept is powerful and emotional. It feels intense and real, and I think a lot of people will connect with Minh’s struggle. I’d definitely love to read the first 10 pages!
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Thanh Trung Nguyen, play around with these suggestions:
A Vietnam youth hires motorbike taxi drivers in Ho Chi Minh City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for actionable change.A runaway youth loses himself in a Cambodian scam organization and must scam his way back to his homeland in Vietnam.