The Documentary: The Donut King
The Director: Alice Gu
The Story: This documentary tells Ted Ngoy's story that is one of fate, love,
survival, hard knocks, and redemption.
The Interview:
The Review:
Wow, what an incredible story. Did you grow up in California wondering why all
the best donuts came from Cambodian owned donut shops? Director Alice Gu has
all the answers! Not only is this documentary about the man who basically
ruled the donut scene in California for years, but it's also a story of
Cambodian refugees and the success stories that rose out of people being
forced to flee their country or literally face being killed during the Khmer
Rouge's genocidal takeover of the country. While that may not sound like the
sugar coated and lovingly fried story you might have been expecting with this
film, it is still a very entertaining on nonetheless.
Alice Gu, who is making her feature film debut with this documentary, seemed
to have really done her homework prepping for this film as she is able to
present so much history both of Ted Ngoy's donut empire as well as what it was
like in Cambodia during the time when so many left as refugees for new and
hopefully safer lives in America. The interviews with Ted, family members,
extended family members, and everyone else who knew the man are extensive and
enlightening and the director keeps things moving long at a very brisk pace so
it never feels bogged down or too much going on.
You can really tell how passionate of a man Ted Ngoy is and there are so many
facets to his life that both brought him unprecedented success and inevitable
failure. I loved seeing how he helped so many of his fellow Cambodian
immigrants get into the donut business and also helped them navigate a country
they didn't fully understand and that wasn't always the most welcoming to
them. Each donut store was a 100% family run business with all hands on deck.
Even the kids were in on the action which of course wouldn't fly today but
back then, there weren't so many regulations and labor laws and stuff like
that. You can see how generations of family have grown, maintained and
reinvented the businesses in true entrepreneurial fashion by constantly
learning and modernizing.
I suppose this story is also a tragedy as we see the downfall of a man
consumed with American consumerism, gambling, and greed. It was really sad to
see him spiral out of control and the impact his transgressions had on all of
the same people he lifted up as they arrived from Cambodia. Gu shows this to
is in a way that is matter of fact and also in a way that maintains the man's
humanity because really, he wasn't a bad person, he just let his passion for
excess get the best of him. We've all been there and we all love donuts so
this is ultimately a very relatable story in a lot of different ways.
If you grew up in California eating at any one of the many Ted Ngoy owned
donut shops or the ones he helped to establish like DK's Donuts and Bakery,
this documentary is going to give you all the nostalgic feels and all the
memories of freshly fried donuts. I think you will probably smell them as you
are watching as the director tactfully and tastefully points her camera in
just the right ways to make want to reach into your screen and grab one of the
dozens of delicious donuts on display. Don't say I didn't warn you!
The Verdict:
The Donut King is a tasty treat that is packed with substance and
coated with the sweet flavors of success. The documentary is an inspiring
story of prosperity and ingenuity that also digs into the heart of immigration
and racism in 1970's America, the perils of fleeing a country under siege, and
the pitfalls of living the so called "American dream."
The Interview:
I had an opportunity to speak with director Alice Gu for the TwoOhSix Podcast
just before the end of the year. We talked about her experiences as a first
time director, adapting to virtual film festivals, and how people like
cinematographer Harris Savides and NBA star Kobe Bryant have influenced her
life and career. She's definitely got that "Mamba Mentality" and I can see an
All Star filmmaking career in her future. Oh, and of course we also talked
about making the documentary, eating donuts on set, and learning life lessons
while making movies. It was quite the conversation, I hope you enjoy listening
to it.
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