Experiencing Interruptions?

Free Your Mind

An artist forced to engage in creating mass-produced paintings struggles to conform. Seeking help from a poster, he begins to delve into the philosophical nature of the inner self, meditation, and religion. Inspired by the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, FREE YOUR MIND is a tour into the mind of a tortured soul lost in the dystopia of a mass produced society.

  • Kevin Trung Manh
    Director
    Red Noise, Blue Noise, Sasa the Sunflower
  • Kevin Trung Manh
    Writer
    Red Noise, Blue Noise, Sasa the Sunflower
  • Kevin Trung Manh
    Producer
    Red Noise, Blue Noise, Sasa the Sunflower
  • Allen Chen
    Producer
  • Markus Paolo Pe Benito
    Key Cast
    "MONK"
  • Mark Smeltzer
    Key Cast
    "THE SCIENTIST"
  • Dave GD Girgus
    Key Cast
    "BOSS"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, art, surrealist, religious
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 9, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kevin Trung Manh

I am a first generation Vietnamese-American filmmaker based out of La Puente, California. I grew up in a lower class neighborhood with kids who loved punk subculture. Because of that, the Do-It-Yourself approach to making art as well has a rebellious spirit has long been ingrained in me. Filmmaking has been an outlet for my individuality as well as a vehicle to connect with my community.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The year I began this project was a very important anniversary for my parents: 40 years since fleeing Vietnam from the war, 35 years of marriage, and 20 years since they became naturalized citizens of the United States. They built so much over the years and I wanted to honor their legacy. HUNGRY to create a short film, I took in a day job as a sales consult doing door to door residential solar for two years to fund this project! I didn't go to film school, but I gathered as many resources I could, scouring thrift stores for props and costume, and networking with people with a passion for storytelling to collaborate with and we were able to put together this project. The journey was tough at times and I learned a lot of lessons, but I'd go through it again just to honor my family's legacy.