1AND1 PRODUCTIONS
FILM SYNOPSIS
Unsurpassed even among advanced Western economies for more than two decades, the staggering 76 percent high female labor force participation rate in Vietnam is paramount. Since Vietnam’s Reunification, the resurgence of women’s empowerment in Vietnam has played an integral role in driving one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia.
From street-side vendors to environmental conservationists to strutting the World fashion stage, these Women’s stories are the changemakers of today.
Part of our vision is to showcase positive developments in emerging nations. By “walking a day” in their shoes, the goal is to discover what’s behind their driving force. You will see first-hand their ambitious and compelling stories of perseverance and pride.
BY THE NUMBERS
A Nation in Motion
76%
Vietnam’s female labor-force participation rate surpasses the best performers among advanced Western economies.
VIETNAM STANDS OUT
Featuring
Dr. Trang Nguyen
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION LEADER, CEO OF WILDACT VIETNAM
H’Hen Nie
MISS VIETNAM & MISS UNIVERSE TOP 5 FINALIST
Susan Tran
OLYMPIC BOBSLED HOPEFUL
Khánh Tường Sen
MUSICIAN
Thao Nguyen
FOUNDER & CEO, SAIGON BPO
Thao Nguyen
FOUNDER & CEO, SAIGON BPO
Thuy Linh (Tân Mỹ)
OWNER, MULTI-GENERATIONAL FASHION STORE
Pham Thi Tuyet
CHEF, MASTERCHEF RUNNER UP
Pham Thi Tuyet
CHEF, MASTERCHEF RUNNER UP
Amy Nguyen
CEO OF IPGEEKLAB
Nikki Tran
CELEBRITY CHEF FEATURED ON NETFLIX
Nikki Tran
CELEBRITY CHEF FEATURED ON NETFLIX
“Behind every powerful movement are the untold stories of resilience.”
Director’s Biography
Into theClouds
60 min, Host/Producer, 2024
Wealth Untold
85 min, Producer, 2024
Vietnam: Fast Forward
60 min, Host/Producer, 2021
Jewel of the Pacific
38 min, Host/Producer, 2018
Technical Details
| Runtime | 1 hr 13 min |
| Production Country | Vietnam |
| Language | Vietnamese, English |
| Subtitles | English, Vietnamese |
| Format | Digital, 4k |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
SHAREEF HAQ · DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Director’s Note
Shareef Haq is a Bangladeshi-American documentary filmmaker and founder of 1 and 1 Productions. After more than 20 years in the technology industry, he transitioned into filmmaking, inspired by decades of international travel and conservation work. His films focus on culture, social change, and the personal stories behind rapidly transforming countries.
His documentaries include Vietnam: Fast Forward, exploring the people behind Vietnam’s economic transformation; Into the Clouds, centered on the ethnic minority communities of northern Vietnam; and Wealth Untold, following women working to protect Belize’s barrier reef. His work seeks to challenge conventional perceptions of developing nations by telling intimate, character-driven stories.
In Women in Motion, Haq turns his lens toward the women helping shape modern Vietnam. Through stories of leadership, perseverance, ambition, and family, the film explores the vital role women play in Vietnam’s social and economic transformation and offers a personal perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Vietnamese women today.
The Team
The Team
The Team
The Team
The Team
The Team
The Team
The Team
CO – Producer
John Ligon
John Ligon brings a deeply global, humanistic lens to independent filmmaking. Holding degrees in philosophy and anthropology, John has spent his career exploring the diverse narratives of human culture and resilience. After working on major US film and television sets—including background roles in The Good Lord Bird, Swagger 2, and Fellow Travelers—he relocated to Vietnam in 2017. In Vietnam, John hosted international television programs for the VTV4 International Channel and spent years teaching in inner-city public schools, gaining a profound, grounded perspective on community and education in developing regions. As co-producer of Women in Motion, John leverages his unique cross-cultural background to champion raw, uncompromising stories of perseverance, ambition, and global changemakers
Executive Producer
Pham Thi Van Vy
As Executive Producer of Women in Motion, Van Vy Pham plays an integral role in bringing the film’s vision to life. As owner and legal counsel for One and One Productions Vietnam, she provides essential leadership, guidance, and support throughout the production. Her commitment and behind-the-scenes involvement help create the foundation that allows the team to tell meaningful stories about the women shaping modern Vietnam.
Executive Producer
Pham Thi Van Vy
As Executive Producer of Women in Motion, Van Vy Pham plays an integral role in bringing the film’s vision to life. As owner and legal counsel for One and One Productions Vietnam, she provides essential leadership, guidance, and support throughout the production. Her commitment and behind-the-scenes involvement help create the foundation that allows the team to tell meaningful stories about the women shaping modern Vietnam.
Dat Tran
Supervising Editor
Dat Tran
A filmmaker from Saigon, Vietnam, whose strength lies in post-production, digital workflow, and the technical know-how of filmmaking. Dat considers every project as challenging as it could be — with the right tools and approach, any problem can be solved, creatively and technically.
Editor / Color Artist
Hit Nguyen
A passionate filmmaker based in Danang, Vietnam. Self-taught through online research and hands-on experience, he brings a distinctive style to framing, editing, and color grading — modern yet uniquely his own.
Supervising Audio Editor
Kira Nguyễn
Supervising Audio Editor
Kira Nguyễn
An audio editor with nine years of experience in audio post-production, working in Vietnam and internationally — incorporating experimental sound textures and dynamic movements across Dolby Atmos, surround sound, and 3D environments.
Music Supervisor
François Bibonne
A French documentary writer, director, and producer based in Hanoi. Infused with a deep love of classical music, his work continuously explores questions of origin and the connections between cultures.
Contact Information
John Ligon
Co-Producer, Women in Motion
johnl@1and1productions.com
www.1and1productions.com
Cinematographer
Nguyen Hong Son
Cinematographer
Nguyen Hong Son
A prominent filmmaker and the visionary behind SonHai Production, a leading film production company based in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to professionalism, Son has built a reputation for films with significant humanistic values and cultural depth.
AI Artists
Dee McRae & Kai Howard
Two creatives well-versed in bringing ideas to life through multiple mediums. Born in America, but now calling Da Nang home, the duo has tackled everything from sound (music production, audio engineering, and sound design) to visuals (video editing, filming, animation, and graphic design) and writing (scriptwriting, storytelling, and creative direction). As Vizia Collective, the duo brings these disciplines together to create cohesive visual worlds, from film and animation to the promotional materials that carry a story beyond the screen.
Contact Information
John Ligon
Co-Producer, Women in Motion
johnl@1and1productions.com
www.1and1productions.com
A 1and1 Productions Film
Women in Motion is a Fiscally Sponsored project , a 501(c) (3) nonprofit arts organization.
(For post production Funding and Distribution)
Contact: John Ligon
Email: johnl@1and1productions.com