The Sympathizer is a gripping espionage thriller and cross-cultural satire that follows the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles. The HBO series, premiering on April 14, 2025, stars Hoa Xuande as the Captain, with Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, born in Vietnam in 1971, came to the United States as a refugee in 1975. His experiences as a Vietnamese American have deeply influenced his work, which explores themes of identity, war, and cultural duality. Nguyen’s debut novel The Sympathizer won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, establishing him as a powerful voice in contemporary American literature.

Don’t miss this exceptional chance to gain insights from one of the most influential voices in Vietnamese American literature and engage with a groundbreaking new television series!

This program is open to all eligible individuals. USC Annenberg operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.