New Vietnamese movies to hit cinemas at year-end

Vietnamese filmmakers have announced the release of new movies by the end of this year.

The 18+ comedy Co dau hao mon (Highborn Bride), directed and written by Vu Ngoc Đang, will be in theatres on October 18.

The movie revolves around a young woman named Tu Lac, the daughter of a family selling votive paper, who wants to help her family escape poverty. She plans to pretend to be noble and marry into a wealthy family.

Đang said at the film introduction in Ho Chi Minh City early this month that his film was inspired by stories he heard from his friends.

The 50-year-old director added although the topic was not new, he concentrated on hilarious details to reflect today's social issues.

The film features actress Uyen An as Tu Lac.

Đang graduated in first place from the HCMC University of Theatre and Cinematography with the short TV movie Chuot (Mouse).

He became famous as a blockbuster director of Nhung co gai chan dai (Catwalk Girls), a film about the backstage life of fashion models, which earned him the Silver Lotus award at the 14th National Film Festival in 2004.

Đang won the Best Director award at the 20th National Film Festival in 2017 for his movie Hot boy noi loan (Lost in Paradise) about homosexual love.

He has directed 14 TV series and films, such as Tuyet nhiet doi (Tropical Snow), and Bo Gia (Dad, I’m Sorry), co-directed with film producer Tran Thanh.

Bo Gia broke ticket sale records for Vietnamese films after earning VND400 billion ($18 million) when it was released in 2021.

The ministry of culture chose the film as the Vietnamese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film Category at the 2022 Oscar Awards.

Meanwhile, Ngay xua co mot chuyen tinh (Once Upon a Love Story), one of the most anticipated movies of 2024, will premiere next month.

Directed by Trinh Dinh Le Minh, the film is adapted from a novel of the same name by best-selling author Nguyen Nhat Anh. It was published by the Tre (Youth) Publishing House in 2016 and has been reprinted over 20 times.

Director Minh said at the film introduction in HCMC last week that, “we had a lot of talks and shared our thoughts with writer Anh to understand more about his novel. He always shows respect for young filmmakers like us.”

The movie tells stories of friendship among three friends, two boys and a girl, from childhood to adulthood, as well as their love triangle and challenges in life.

The work stars young actors Avin Lu, Ngoc Xuan and Do Nhat Hoang.

Composer-singer Phan Manh Quynh plays writer Anh in the movie, and writes the theme song for the work.

Quynh’s song titled Co mot chuyen tinh (There’s a Love Story) has a gentle melody with lyrics reminding people of their youth with numerous beautiful memories, both sorrow and joy.

Tran Ngoc Thanh, a student at the Dong Nai University in Dong Nai province, said, “I love Anh’s books so much. I can’t wait to watch one of my favourite books on the big screen.”

Ngay xua co mot chuyen tinh will be in theatres nationwide on November 1.