The Sympathizer

The Rough Cut

Editor - Viks Patel

THE SYMPATHIZER editor Viks Patel was a fan of director Park Chan-wook long before they ever teamed up to work on their new MAX series. But unbeknownst to Viks, the pair had actually worked together previously, in a sense, on SNOWPIERCER (2020). Viks edited the pilot for the series which Director Park exec produced. Back together again on THE SYMPATHIZER, the two joined creative forces to bring Viet Thanh Nguyen's book to the small screen in a big way.

Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about 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, where he learns that his spying days aren't over.

VIKS PATEL In addition to his work on THE SYMPATHIZER, Viks Patel won an Emmy® in 2008 for his work on TOP CHEF and was nominated for an Emmy® in 2020 for his work on OZARK. Viks has also edited shows such as THE MORNING SHOW (2019), BATES MOTEL (2015-16) and LONGMIRE (2012-14). Editing THE SYMPATHIZER

In our discussion with THE SYMPATHIZER editor Viks Patel, we talk about:

• Drama in the front, comedy in the back
• Voicing thoughts on voice overs
• The sweet soul sounds of seventies needle drops
• Sound designing the Saigon sequence
• RDJ on the sacred mystery of editing

The Credits

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