You just make these assumptions about how things are made because it just happens.
To that, as the director of The Greatest Night in Pop, what surprised you making this film?
BAO NGUYEN:I was only about two years old, when the song came out.
Bao Nguyen, “The Greatest Night In Pop"Getty/Sundance Film Festival
So, I dont remember it when it came out.
My parents were refugees from Vietnam.
They didnt speak a lick of English, but they had Kenny Rogers records.
Netflix
They had Lionel Richie records.
And I just recall them always playing those records all the time when I was young.
I didnt really know much about the making of the song.
You just make these assumptions about how things are made because it just happens.
That was such an incredible story to me.
DEADLINE:How did it all come together then in the 21stcentury?
So, I went through the night and just saw like how crazy it was.
I would say especially being able to enter the archival footage, and watching all this unseen footage.
DEADLINE:That struck me watching the documentary, Bob Dylan really feeling under pressure, and many others.
You just assume these icons are just the coolest people in the room of any room they walk into.
But when you know youre going into the room and Ray Charles is walking in the room.
As Lionel says in the film, it was like the first day of kindergarten.
Remnants of that line has been repeated by many different people about that night.
DEADLINE:How do you mean?
NGUYEN:Over time, he became this cultural icon, this martial arts God.
I felt like I needed something that united us as a world.
NGUYEN:Its a roller coaster to be honest.
I feel quite honored to be watched globally on Netflix.
As I said, my parents still live in Vietnam.
They dont know what it is.
NGUYEN:(LAUGHS) I cannot promise anything.
Though I will say, you might see me trying to get Lionel Richie to sing karaoke at Sundance.
Thats the only secret I have so far.
I think that was maybe a more traditional way of looking at documentaries.
That being said, he was never hands on with anything in terms of story.
NGUYEN:It is one of the most heartbreaking moments of the film for me.
When we were editing, Lionel didnt say anything about wanting to cut it or anything like that.
For me, thats the most important part, in terms of ow honest can we make the film?
Lionel wanted to make the most honest film possible.
We really had none of that with this project with Lionel, he was a total straight shooter.
He just wanted an honest retelling.
So, I try not think of it in a transactional way.
And again, because its Lionels actual life, its his legacy.
I was very cognizant of that.
Im not some sort of an egotistical director saying, Well, its my way or the highway.
He also gave me that collaboration in his story.
Tell an honest story, and I think we did.
DEADLINE:Certainly, with Shelia E…
NGUYEN:Yes.
Of course, I wish we could have asked Prince about it.
Sadly, we cant.
Did it come across like that do you, is that part of why you used that clip?
NGUYEN:You hit the nail on the head.
It was right before everyone left the American Music Awards and headed to A&M Studios.
He was there with the techs and Quincy.
NGUYEN:Huey Lewis is the sweetest man in the world.
So, he just wanted to sit in that space at A&M while he was waiting.
DEADLINE:I get that, anyone would.
NGUYEN:So, during the pandemic I was in Vietnam to visit my parents.
