The King of Trash Pre-Screening Continues: After a Beautiful San Jose Premiere, Oakland Is Next
- Henry Vo
- Dec 6
- 3 min read
After a memorable and deeply emotional evening in San Jose, The King of Trash is continuing its private pre-screening series, with the next stop in Oakland — the place where the Duong family’s American story truly began.
A Heartfelt Night in San Jose
The San Jose pre-screening gathered more than 200 VIP guests, including community leaders, local officials, entrepreneurs, and longtime supporters who have followed the journey of David Duong and his family for decades.
The atmosphere was warm and intimate. Guests shared laughter and tears as they watched the film and spoke afterward about how the story touched something personal — the courage of leaving home, the weight of starting over, and the determination to build a future from nothing. Many said they saw their own families reflected on screen.
The success of the San Jose event set a powerful tone for the next chapter of the film’s journey.
Oakland: Returning to Where the Story Was Built
The next private pre-screening of The King of Trash will take place in Oakland, a city that carries deep significance for David Duong and the Duong family.
Oakland is where California Waste Solutions (CWS) was born — not as a large company, but as a humble family operation collecting scrap paper, cardboard, and metal to survive. The early years were filled with long nights, physical labor, and constant uncertainty. Yet this is where the Duong family planted their roots. This is where David Duong turned hardship into a mission and a business that would eventually serve hundreds of thousands of homes.
From a small warehouse and second-hand trucks, CWS grew step by step into one of California’s leading recycling and resource-recovery companies. Under David Duong’s leadership, the company became known for modern recycling facilities, community partnerships, and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
For more than 30 years, CWS has operated in Oakland and San Jose, creating jobs, supporting local programs, and helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for the Bay Area.
A Story Rooted in Resilience and Service
The King of Trash follows David Duong and the Duong family from their escape from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon, to their survival at sea, to their arrival in America with nothing but hope and determination.
Their story is not only about survival — it is about rebuilding, reinventing, and rising again. It is about turning struggle into service, and transforming what others throw away into something new.
The film also highlights the creation of Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), one of the most advanced environmental infrastructure projects in Vietnam. Through VWS, David Duong brought modern recycling and waste-management technology to millions of people, bridging two countries through innovation and public good.
A Tribute to the Vietnamese American Journey
The upcoming Oakland pre-screening is more than a film showing — it is a gathering of leaders, friends, and community members to honor a shared journey of resilience. It is a moment to celebrate the achievements of Vietnamese Americans and acknowledge how far the community has come.
David Duong’s story represents the larger story of many immigrant families:Leaving home with nothing, rebuilding with hard work, and contributing to the place that welcomed them.
As The King of Trash continues its private pre-screening series, each event carries the same intention:To honor the Duong family’s journey, to spark reflection, and to remind us that even the hardest beginnings can lead to extraordinary legacies.
More updates will be shared as the Oakland screening approaches.This is only the beginning of a story that continues to inspire across communities, industries, and generations.
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