Meet Milla Nguyen | Aspiring filmmaker (director/writer), designer, and artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Milla Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Milla, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Hi Shoutout Arizona, thanks for having me!

Personally, I had always been surrounded by the idea of art, design, and creation. For example, my mother had been an artist/ painter since her teenage years in Vietnam and even when she immigrated to the United States. Because my mother and father sacrificed all that they knew to move to America, my sister and I were given an opportunity to blossom. My sister, Lena Nguyen then became a author after majoring in creative writing/ political science in college and graduate school. She released her first ever sci-fi thriller novel “We Have Always Been Here” which is published by DAW & Penguin Random House. When I was young, I had fond memories of listening to music and painting at home with my sister during the summer time. Throughout my elementary/ middle school years, my parents sent me to a local arts school in Arizona to pursue a deeper study of acrylic/oil painting with live models and sculpting workshops with mentors who were renowned artists. At a young age, I preferred connecting with artists / members of the elderly community who had a deep appreciation for art. Soon after that, I trusted myself to find opportunities in order to expand my creative abilities. When college came around, I majored in Film/Media Production (focus in directing) as well as Fashion Design. While things have changed since the beginning of my undergraduate journey, I know that I will always have a connection to creating. For the future, I’d like to hopefully become a film director, fashion designer, or magazine editor. Someday, I would even like to write my own book or share my art in some capacity. Most of all, I would like to make my family and circle of friends proud.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is constantly ever-changing. As I mentioned previously, art has taken my years to practice. I have tried to diversify my skills and experiences in my undergraduate career. For example, I am the chief magazine editor of Culture Talk, a non-profit organization founded by Anusha Natarajan (founder). The organization started during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were unable to attend school in person and is no co-led by myself and Anusha. The mission statement was that education, cultural diversity, and accessible information is as important as many aspects of our society/world. The Culture Talk website is home to 6 branches: trends, history, geography, government, law, and heritage. We had started out with a national and international network of over 30+ students who were running virtual meetings and producing content for a gen-z targeted audience. It was also meant as a resource for teachers in the midst of misinformation. Over the years, we have produced a bi-monthly magazine that showcases writers and artists from all over the world. There is also the Culture Talk: This is Us podcast, led by Ananyaa Mahajan. All together, the team produced blog content, website content, and social media all as students. Meanwhile, I was personally working on fashion design projects, one of which was displayed at Arizona State University by the fashion school. I had also collaborated on the “We Have Always Been Here project” (not affiliated with DAW, Penguin Random House Publishing or the official Lena Nguyen brand) with Micah Rind, a Tempe-based fashion + multi-media photographer. Together, I designed and modeled 3 unique fashion face masks themed towards the book while Rind photographed them. Together, we ran a social media giveaway in time for Lena Nguyen’s book signing/ launch party. Afterwards, I developed my brand @milla_nguyen.co & @eclipsetherecord which is a multi-media collective that seeks to highlights creatives. Additionally, I was working on numerous short films whether that be with other directors or on my own. By that point, I had directed/written my own short film, titled, “Here with You”. The film followed an Indian-American girl and her journey of acceptance as she awaits an incoming disease diagnosis. Currently, I am working on my senior graduation capstone film, “I Want You to Live” which is set to premiere in 2023. The story follows Lia Nguyen, a Vietnamese Asian-American teenager in her journey of loss, grief, and acceptance after losing her parents to cancer. Later, she finds her mother’s journal that describes her family’s story as war-displaced refugees and immigrants in America. This story is a true representation based on my parents’ real story. I am unbelievably happy that I can bring this to life with my cast & crew and have it be shown when it is complete.

In terms of obstacles, I have always felt differently in various stages of my life. I believed that my ideas were more advanced than the resources I had in middle or high school. I had preferred to do things other young students didn’t have much interest in. This was until I found true creatives and true friends that supported me or were willing to collaborate with me in college. I am proud that I started with little and I grew into someone I had wished to become. I overcame these challenges by thinking about the people who put their support towards my goals. I thought about other people who became successful and it made me want to try harder. I sought inspiration in people I respected, and therefore, I wanted to learn more. Ultimately, I’ve spent years trying to develop my skills and participate in a variety of projects. I hope the world can see my authenticity and passion for what I do (and what other good people do). All I know is, I’m doing it for myself and for the people who chose to support me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I’m super biased, I will say that I am fond of the Tempe/ Gilbert/ Scottsdale areas because it is where I come from. If a friend were to visit me, I would take them to Downtown Gilbert. The neon signs, old shops, and restaurants have been nostalgic since my high school days. I enjoy eating at a variety of places and then taking a night walk afterwards to get dessert. In Tempe, Mill Avenue is a memorable area for many ASU students. There is a movie theater, numerous restaurants, and Tempe town lake right next to it. I recommend climbing to the top of “A” mountain (by the Sun Devil stadium) during the spring time to see the sunset. The view of the sky, the city, and the lake from high above is the best. In Scottsdale, Old Town is very reminiscent in the wintertime. I enjoy the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall as well as a restaurant called the Sugar Bowl. It is an old ice-cream/ diner food parlor decorated with a pink interior.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my opinion, I believe the credit of my hard work and success is delegated to many people. I would first like to thank my mother and father for giving me a life in the United States after sacrificing all that they had. My parents worked tirelessly and continuously to achieve their goals plus the amount of success that they have now. Because of them, I was taught to reach for the stars but also know my limits. They have guided me through my mistakes and successes even when I didn’t always understand. I also would like to mention my sister Lena Nguyen and her partner, Jeremy. I have always looked up to my sister since I was little and she has always stuck up for me when times were difficult. While she is still on her journey of numerous successes, she has supported me and given important advice throughout my youth. Jeremy is a member of my family who I appreciate dearly as he has always lent comfort and insight when I have doubted myself. I’d also would like to thank the rest of my family, especially: Brandon, Ethan, Annie, Tim, Andrew, Ryan, and Alex who have in a way grown up together and have also supported me greatly. I’d like to shoutout my friends, especially Ananyaa Mahajan, Anusha Natarajan, Aarushi Bharti, Micah Rind, and Toya Liu. While there are so many close friends and peers that I would like to mention and list by name, this handful have particularly supported me through thick and thin. They had stuck by me and have shared opportunities with me in which we have grown as a group and will continue to do so. I’d like to thank my crew & cast of “I Want You to Live” the film (set to release in 2023) who have been working resiliently in making a film that is dear to my heart. Aside from the fact that I have written/ will be directing this film, my crew was ready and willing to assist me in making it happen. The film is produced in the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University. I would also like to thank many of my film and fashion design peers who have shown their support for my projects on social media and throughout my years at ASU. Last but not least, I would like to thank my supervisors and past mentors at my high school/ university who have instilled the spirit to learn and explore in me. Because of their encouragement, I have tried to learn as much as I can during college. I hope to take their advice and conversations into the next chapter of my life. Hopefully, I want to carry that spirit into my future overall.

Website: https://iwantyoutolivefilm.wixsite.com/millanguyen

Instagram: @milla_nguyen.co + @eclipsetherecord + @iwantyoutolive_thefilm + @culturetalknet

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuHZOBsGwV6LZgPh1wlZ8vQ

Image Credits
[Photo 1 & 2 taken by Micah Rind @rindstudio] [Photo 7 taken by Julian Valgora @jmvalgora]