3 Vietnamese films "go big" with their settings.

The three upcoming films, including "Face Off 8: The Sunny Circle," "Detective Kien: The Headless Case," and "The Bottom of the Lake," all demonstrate the ambition, meticulousness, and dedication of the production team, starting from the set design.

Báo Sài Gòn Giải phóng•23/04/2025

Ly Hai built his house from scratch.

Flip Face 8: The Embrace of Sunshine revolves around the Phước family (Long Đẹp Trai), a three-generation family living in the arid, sun-drenched central region of Vietnam. Their simple house is not only the site of generational conflict between Mr. Phước and his son Tâm (Đoàn Thế Vinh), but also the place where Tâm and his younger sister Phúc (Hồng Thu) nurture their dreams of pursuing art.

boi canh lat mat 8 3.jpg — *The setting of the main character's house in "Face Off 8" was entirely constructed by the film crew. Photo: DPCC*

The main filming locations were Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. The house in the film was completely newly built by Ly Hai and his team in Bau Trang (Binh Thuan) to authentically recreate the life of the local people. From the goat sheds, chicken coops, fences to the well and surrounding trees, everything was meticulously designed to suit the sunny and windy countryside setting.

In particular, all the household items underwent a "buy new, exchange old" process, creating a setting that is both authentic and imbued with a sense of timelessness. As a result, the film's setting becomes genuine and closely resembles the real-life experiences of people in this windswept, sandy region.

boi canh lat mat 8 2.jpg — *Every small detail was carefully considered by the crew to ensure authenticity. Photo: DPCC*

From an empty plot of land beside a sand dune, the team created an emotionally charged living space, clearly showcasing the contrast between the artistic aspirations of the younger generation and the worries and anxieties of parents.

Flip Face 8: The Sunshine Bracelet will have early screenings starting April 27th before officially hitting theaters on April 30th.

The journey to find the deadly rocky lake.

"The Bottom of the Lake" – the new horror film by director Tran Huu Tan and producer Hoang Quan – has just revealed its first behind-the-scenes video, recounting the journey of being "found by the lake" while scouting for locations. Inspired by urban legends and the idea of "doppelgangers" – the hidden alter egos within each person – the film creates a mysterious underwater world where pristine beauty and danger coexist.

boi canh duoi day ho 1.jpg — *The crew went underwater to survey many rocky lakes before finally selecting the ideal setting. Photo: DPCC*

The main filming location was an ancient stone lake in Ba Ria – a former quarry with rugged terrain and beautiful, deep blue water, but also fraught with danger. Here, the crew not only found an ideal setting but also felt "the lake as a living entity," reflecting the inner feelings of people through its mesmerizing duality.

Behind-the-scenes video reveals the second "lake level"—an expansive, fantastical space of the underworld, where elements like moss ghosts and doppelgangers are staged without excessive special effects, creating a sense of realism.

Director Tran Huu Tan shared: “The lake is a special character. It doesn't need dialogue or expressions, but it's present like a silent yet powerful shadow, always closely following every movement of the characters.”

boi canh duoi day ho 3.jpg — *The film crew demonstrated a great deal of effort in terms of visuals. Photo: DPCC*

Producer Hoang Quan also emphasized a social message: the mesmerizing beauty of the rocky lakes is captivating but always carries inherent dangers – especially when young people carelessly approach them. The bottom of the lake is not only a journey of confronting fear, but also a warning about the dangerous beauty that people sometimes have to learn to stop and admire from afar.

The film "At the Bottom of the Lake" is scheduled to be released to the public on June 6th.

Director Victor Vũ spent six months searching for locations for Detective Kiên.

The film crew of "Detective Kien: The Headless Case" has just revealed the arduous six-month journey they undertook to find suitable locations for the film. Actress and producer Dinh Ngoc Diep called it the "longest journey" the film crew had ever undertaken – traveling from Northwest to Northeast Vietnam, covering hundreds of kilometers to hunt for landscapes that perfectly captured the mysterious and historical atmosphere.

boi canh tham tu kien 1.png — *The ancient village will appear in Detective Kien. Photo: DPCC*

boi canh tham tu kien 4.png — *The waterfall is as beautiful as a painting in a movie. Photo: DPCC*

Many prominent landmarks such as Ban Cai Lake (Tuyen Quang), Co La Waterfall, Vinh Quy Grass Hill ( Cao Bang )... appear like a watercolor painting. Notably, all the flower hills in the film were planted in real life, minimizing the use of special effects. To find a waterfall that was both secluded and suitable for filming, the crew had to survey up to 20 waterfalls, traveling by various means of land and water.

Another highlight is the town featured in the film – a 200-300 year old village with rare original structures – where director Victor Vũ affirmed: "Making a film in a centuries-old village gives me inspiration. Not only the viewers, but also the actors will have more emotions when living in a place with such an atmosphere."

With just one house, the crew transformed it into 12-15 different settings, surprising the entire cast.