CLOSING NIGHT WITH THE EMPATHIZER
& COMEDY SHOWCASE

JUNE 8, 2025 | 7:00PM-10PM | DOUBLETREE BY HILTON | TICKETED EVENT

DOCUMENTARY | ENGLISH & VIETNAMESE | 59 MINS

Join us for a powerful, emotional, and hilarious closing night experience featuring the screening of the acclaimed documentary The Empathizer, followed by the laugh-out-loud comedy showcase “Embarrassed By Night” — headlined by the film’s very own director, Fred Le.

Synopsis:
Directed by Fred Le and co-directed by Bret Hamilton, The Empathizer is a raw, deeply personal documentary that explores the emotional complexities of the Vietnamese diaspora. Fred Le returns to Vietnam to uncover why his mother, a war refugee, has never set foot back in her homeland.

Shot over two weeks in Saigon and Hanoi, the 59-minute film captures candid conversations with over 20 millennial-aged Việt Kiều (overseas-born Vietnamese) who have made the reverse journey to Vietnam. Through artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and everyday expats, the film explores the often-unspoken tensions between generations, identity, and the trauma of war and displacement.

  • Date: June 8, 2025

  • Time: 7PM - 10PM

  • Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

THE EMPATHIZER (June 8, 2025)

COMEDY SHOWCASE “Embarrassed By Night”

FEATURING FRED LE AND FRIENDS

Stick around after the screening for a special meet and greet with director Fred Le, who will share behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections on the making of The Empathizer. This is a rare opportunity to connect directly with a storyteller whose work is reshaping conversations around identity, memory, and healing.

Viet Nguyen

Andy Van

Sean Porter

Alex Duong

As if that weren’t enough, get ready to laugh your heart out at our Comedy Showcase “Embarrassed By Night”, immediately following the film. Featuring Fred Le and a lineup of hilarious Vietnamese American comedians, this show brings the festival full circle — from tears to belly laughs.

Expect bold, relatable stories and sharp takes on everything from culture clash to childhood trauma, dating, diaspora, and everything in between.

  • Fred Le

    Fred Le is a Vietnamese American filmmaker, comedian, and storyteller whose work bridges the worlds of diaspora identity, humor, and cultural introspection. A graduate of the Film & Digital Media program at UC Santa Cruz, Fred began his career as the original host of Vietnam A-Z, a travel and culture show produced by VTV International in Vietnam. His time overseas inspired much of his creative lens — one rooted in curiosity, vulnerability, and the complex relationship between Vietnamese refugees and their homeland. His documentary The Empathizer (2024), co-directed with Bret Hamilton, explores generational trauma and identity through the stories of millennial Việt Kiều (overseas-born Vietnamese) returning to modern-day Vietnam. The film has resonated widely with audiences across Vietnamese diaspora communities and beyond.

    In addition to his work in film, Fred is an active stand-up comedian who has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including San Francisco Sketchfest, Treefort Music Fest, and Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. In 2022, he co-created the hit all-Vietnamese comedy showcase Embarrassed By Night, which highlights raw, hilarious, and often emotional stories from the Vietnamese American experience. Whether behind the camera or on the mic, Fred continues to push boundaries and uplift diasporic narratives — using humor, honesty, and heart as his guiding tools.

    Instagram @fredle
    https://www.empathizerdoc.com/home

  • Embarassed By Night Comedy Showcase

    DoubleTree by Hilton, 10609 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042

    Embarrassed By Night is a vibrant comedy and musical variety show that joyfully celebrates Vietnamese American culture while embracing the beautiful awkwardness of diaspora identity. Founded in 2022 by LA-based stand-up comedians Fred Le and Andy Van, the show pays playful tribute to Paris by Night — the legendary Vietnamese variety show series whose VHS tapes were a staple in nearly every Vietnamese immigrant household during the '90s. Equal parts homage and reinvention, Embarrassed By Night blends stand-up, live music, storytelling, and heartfelt cultural reflection into an unforgettable night of laughs and connection.

    Since its debut, EBN has carved out a loyal following, performing to sold-out crowds in intimate backyards, bustling clubs, and premier stages — including two standout appearances at San Francisco Sketchfest. With each iteration, the show continues to evolve and expand, welcoming a dynamic lineup of Vietnamese and Asian American performers from across the creative spectrum. This year, Embarrassed By Night returns to Los Angeles with a special pan-AAPI showcase in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Follow @embarrassedbynight on Instagram for updates, announcements, and behind-the-scenes peeks into one of the freshest, funniest shows on the AAPI comedy scene.

    Instagram @embarrassedbynight

Alex Duong @dapperduong

Alex Duong is an LA-based comedian/actor/writer originally from Dallas, Texas. His most recent credits include performing on Ronny Chieng's Love To Hate It Tour, Historical Roast on Netflix, Bluebloods, and The OnlyFans Roast of Whitney Cummings. When he’s not traveling on the road for standup, he performs weekly at The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Viet Nguyen @vietspeekenglizh

Viet Nguyen is a Vietnamese-born comic whose journey to America when he was 19 fuels a bold, clever perspective on culture and everyday absurdities. Known for leaving audiences both shocked and laughing, he brings a unique voice and unexpected humor to the stage. Viet Nguyen has performed on some of comedy’s most famous stages, from The Comedy Store to the Hollywood Improv and the Ice House, where he skillfully navigates the dark, edgy corners of observation with wit and finesse.

Sean Porter @iamseanporter

Sean Porter is a half Vietnamese/half Black comedian born and raised in LA, and has been featured on season 2 of HBO’s Sweet Life: Los Angeles, Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio on Sirius XM, Pop TV's Hollywood Darlings, as well as other shows buried deep into the basic cable abyss. When he's not working for scale, he can be seen performing stand-up regularly at The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, Flappers Comedy Club, The Ice House, The Hollywood Improv, and Supernova Comedy. He also produces his monthly show - “Sean Porter & Friends” - at the newly renovated Ice House Comedy Club.

Andy Van @andyvanandyvan

Andy Van is a stand up comedian and Bay Area native. Though based in Los Angeles, he can increasingly be found performing up and down the West Coast and nationally. While in LA, you can find him producing independent shows all over town. A proud Vietnamese American, Andy combines his devil-may-care attitude with observation and charm onstage.