Real Restaurant Owners Star in Culinary Fiction Film

The documentary-inflected fiction film 'Mam,' set in New York's Chinatown, will premiere at SXSW. It stars Nhung and Jerald Head, the actual owners of the Vietnamese restaurant Mam.

The narrative centers on Jerald, a chef from Texas who moves to New York with aspirations of opening his own restaurant. He teams up with Nhung, a waitress, as they pursue his culinary goals through various schemes.

Filmmaker Nan Feix committed to authenticity, drawing elements directly from reality. The film was shot over 16 days with a small crew, utilizing Super 16mm and natural light. The entire cast, including background actors, was recruited from the local neighborhood.

Feix aimed for an intense, visceral storytelling style, inspired by directors like Wong Kar-wai and the Safdie Brothers. He limited each shot to two takes to enhance the film's energy and create a sense of danger.

Jerald Head approached acting with the same discipline he applies to his culinary work. The Heads transitioned from a pop-up to fully taking over the lease for Mam in the summer of 2022. They now also manage a wine bar and Head is developing a Vietnamese coffee and banh mi shop called 'Phê'.

'Mam' has already received the Culinary Cinema Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and screened at the Cork International Film Festival. Producer Nicolas Winding Refn co-founded the production company Loveboat.