Hoa Xuande eye color

Hoa Xuande, the Australian actor of Vietnamese descent who stars in HBO's "The Sympathizer," naturally has brown eyes. However, for his role as the Captain in the series, he wore blue-green contact lenses throughout the filming, according to The Cinemaholic.

The Significance of Eye Color in The Sympathizer

The use of colored contacts was essential for the role as the Captain's character is of mixed French-Vietnamese heritage. The character's blue eyes serve as a visual representation of his biracial identity, with the novel describing them as "the color of a storm".

Artistic Choice and Character Development

The decision to use contacts was not merely cosmetic but deeply tied to the story's themes. The Captain's mixed heritage and distinctive eye color contribute to his sense of otherness and his complex journey of finding belonging. This physical characteristic is particularly significant as it reflects the character's internal struggle with his dual identity as described by Criterion.

Behind the Scenes

The transformation into the Captain was part of Xuande's comprehensive preparation for the role, which included:

• Eight months of auditions
• A private meeting with director Park Chan-wook in South Korea
• Intensive Vietnamese language training
• Research into Vietnamese war experiences

The colored contacts became just one element of Xuande's complete embodiment of the character, alongside his linguistic and cultural preparation for this complex role.