CASTING CALL: UNCLE HIEP’S CASINO

Project: Uncle Hiep’s Casino
Type: Feature Film
Writer-Director: Richard Van
Casting Director-Executive Producer: Damian Bao
Shoot Dates: February 22 – March 22, 2026 (Talent will shoot 1-15 day pending role)
Filming Location: Greater Los Angeles Area

LOGLINE:

Somewhere between his mother’s house and his uncle’s illegal casino, Cuong, an ex-prisoner, finds a new life.

SUPPORTING LEAD ROLES (Major Speaking Roles)

Diem – Vietnamese Female. Age 25-40.
A sharp, no-nonsense café worker who recently immigrated to America, Diem handles everything at Hiep’s chaotic café—from waitressing to the backroom—with competence, dry humor, and quiet resilience. Observant, smart, and strong-willed, she keeps most people at a distance but develops a soft spot for ex-felon Cuong, bonding with him over long shifts, shared cigarettes, and late-night Chinese chess. She navigates the dysfunction around her with weary wit, becomes an emotional anchor in Cuong’s journey, and reveals a tender side in her daily calls with her young son in Vietnam. Simulated sex scenes & intimacy required. Actor must be fluent in Vietnamese and able to portray a Vietnamese person who speaks English as a second language.

Hiep Le – Vietnamese Male. Age 45-50.
The charismatic, chaotic, entrepreneurial older uncle who runs a Vietnamese café that secretly is also an illegal casino. He is loud, warm, manipulative, full of bravado, and deeply flawed but loving. Often comedic. Has strong opinions, hustler energy, and messy relationships with family. He sings karaoke with full commitment. Actors must be comfortable with basic physical action and stunt choreography. Must be able to handle comedic timing, emotional beats, and bilingual (Vietnamese and English) scenes smoothly. 

Thao Le – Vietnamese Female. Age 47-57.
The only woman left standing in the Le family—clever, blunt, charismatic, and unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths. Her son Cuong has just been released from prison, giving her one more man in the house to take care of. She is the full time caretaker of her father Bao while her brother Hiep runs a cafe. Despite her sharp tongue and fiery temper, she carries deep wells of vulnerability that surface in moments of exhaustion, faith, and disappointment. Her strength is both her armor and her burden, making her one of the film’s most layered, compelling figures. Actor must be fluent in Vietnamese and English.

SUPPORTING ROLES (Important Speaking Roles)

Bao Le – Vietnamese Male. Age 90.
The stubborn, sharp-tongued, sometimes confused but often witty patriarch of the family. Provides comedic and philosophical commentary. Scene work includes bathroom humor, mobility issues, and lying still. Requires frail physicality; scenes of being helped to stand, bathe, or move. Must believably portray physical decline. Fluency in Vietnamese required; English understanding necessary.

Father Nguyen – Vietnamese Male. Age 50s. 
The local Vietnamese-language priest. A kind, warm, humorous, and quietly wise accepting man, he leads the congregation in prayer and is a friend to Thao and her ex-felon son, Cuong. He sees that Cuong is struggling and tries to help him on a spiritual journey. Fluency in Vietnamese required; English understanding necessary.

Tuan – Vietnamese American Male. Age 16-19. 
A troublemaker, sharp, bold, and addicted to online attention. He’s first caught cheating the slot machines at Hiep’s secret backroom casino using a smartphone scanner, revealing how tech-savvy and brazen he is. Later, he returns in a chaotic, comedic set piece as “Tw0n,” a livestreaming clout-chaser, rolling up with a small entourage to broadcast a sensationalized “exposé” to his online followers. Needs to play fear and defiance in a confrontation scene with Cuong. Vietnamese fluency required; bilingual Vietnamese/English preferred.

DAY PLAYERS (Small Speaking Roles)

Lam (Party Guest) – Vietnamese Male. Age 40-65. 
A family friend/cousin who appears early during the surprise party gathering. Light comedic presence. Says “Happy Birthday!” at the wrong moment. Supportive, cheerful, warm character. Good comedic timing. The ability to improvise in Vietnamese is a plus but not required. 

Nhung – Vietnamese Female. Age 40s.
One of Thao’s church friends. Energetic, chatty, supportive, but humorous when struggling with Thao’s choreography. Must have comfort with light dance movement and comedic timing. Fluency in Vietnamese required; English understanding necessary.

Phuong – Vietnamese Female. Age 70s.
A nostalgic, curious, sentimental, and easily delighted Vietnamese senior. She goes with a group of seniors to Hiep’s casino in the hopes that she’ll win big and become a millionaire. She approaches the slot machines with innocence and wonder—despite not fully understanding how to use them—bringing heart and gentle humor to the scene. She’s lived in Chinatown for a long time and has seen the neighborhood change over the course of the years, she feels afraid in her own neighborhood because of frequent muggings. Fluency in Vietnamese required; English understanding necessary.

Vietnamese Senior – Vietnamese Male. Age 60s – 90s.
They join Hiep’s casino trips. They provide humor, commentary, and personality. Must be able to deliver short comedic lines in Vietnamese and comfortable with entering/exiting vans, walking and sitting at slot machines. Fluency in Vietnamese required; English understanding necessary.

Liem – Vietnamese Male. Age 60s.
A lively, spirited Vietnamese senior brimming with playful energy, who joins a group of seniors on their way to Hiep’s casino in the hopes of cashing out big and becoming millionaires. Liem doesn’t care about the money; he just wants to have fun. Talent should be able to perform brief dialogue in Vietnamese.

Elderly Diner Patron – Vietnamese Male. Age 70-80s.
A quiet, routine-loving regular at Hiep’s Café, he is enjoying a Ca phe nong (Vietnamese hot coffee) when a group of rowdy teenagers burst into the shop disrupting his peace. Mild, polite, and slightly bewildered, he becomes the unexpected target of their chaotic energy, offering a brief but charming comedic beat. Talent should be able to perform brief dialogue in Vietnamese.

Background Roles

Men and Women or Vietnamese or Asian Descent. Age 18-100.
Non-speaking roles to act as Vietnamese or Asian churchgoers, shoppers, and cafe customers. Real families are encouraged to submit!