A heroic epic of legendary history, full of expectations.
"Guardian of the Spirits - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb" is a historical, martial arts, psychological, and emotional film project directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, inspired by one of the mysterious folk legends about the tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang.
The film opens with the glorious Battle of the Twelve Warlords led by Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and revolves around the journey of seven valiant warriors on their final mission assigned by the Emperor. After Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang's death, the seven warriors must race against time, confronting hostile forces to move 99 coffins in seven different directions to mislead enemies plotting to destroy the tomb – believed to be the source of the nation's prosperity. Hidden behind this journey are never-before-revealed secrets, battles between loyalty, love, and sacrifice.
Director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh has been nurturing this film for 10 years. “This is not just a legendary story, but a reminder of our roots – where loyalty and righteousness become the strength of the Vietnamese people,” the director shared. Nguyen Phan Quang Binh is known for many cinematic works such as “The Crane Dance,” “The Endless Field,” and “Quyen”… Accompanying the director is a team of experienced creative professionals.
The action sequences are handled by Johnny Trí Nguyễn, a renowned actor known for films like "Heroic Bloodline" and "Dragon Trap," and who has participated in numerous Hollywood projects. The cinematography is by Nguyễn K'Linh, the man behind the emotionally rich visuals of "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass," "Brilliant Ashes," and "Underground: The Sun in the Darkness." The music is composed by Quốc Trung.
The film also features a prominent cast including People's Artist Nhu Quynh, People's Artist Tu Long, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Tuan Tran, Tran Thien Tu, Do Thi Hai Yen, Le Vu Long, Hua Vi Van, Quach Ngoc Ngoan... Among them, Tuan Tran plays Nguyen Phong - a free-spirited mountain man who lives outside the box but is ready to fight for the fate of the nation. Tran Thien Tu plays An Nhien - a female warrior with the aspiration to control her own destiny and the proud spirit of Vietnamese women. People's Artist Tu Long plays a Muong shaman with extensive knowledge, trusted by King Dinh to meticulously prepare a plan to protect the country's dragon veins and spiritual energy. In the film, the shaman is not only a calm and wise person, but also the holder of the ultimate secret and a bridge between history and the present...
A burning desire to create a cinematic masterpiece.
Currently, "The Guardian of the Spirits - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb" has completed filming and entered the post-production phase. This is a large-scale film project, aiming not only to deliver a captivating and visually stunning story but also to awaken national pride in the younger generation. "At this time, Vietnamese audiences want to reconnect with their roots and enjoy historical dramas that are deeply rooted in national identity," commented Ngo Thi Bich Hanh, Vice President of BHD Company and film producer.
To recreate the late Dinh Dynasty, the film crew dedicated significant time to researching history, culture, and ancient art. The team comprised numerous experts in the fields of traditional costumes, art, and historical research. Cinematographer Nguyen K'Linh and the art department chose an approach focused on emotion and authenticity. From the setting and lighting to the costumes, everything was carefully calculated to help viewers clearly feel the life and spirit of the Vietnamese people during the Dinh Dynasty. The entire film was shot in Ninh Binh over 83 days, with more than 40 locations, from rocky mountains, caves, and streams to meticulously staged ancient village settings.
One of the film's highlights is the meticulously researched and recreated system of costumes, armor, and weapons. Costume designer Bao Tran Chi, who has designed costumes for many Hollywood projects, and artist Mai Lam, a pioneer in contemporary art and traditional crafts, directly participated in designing and recreating the characters' appearances. In particular, King Dinh Bo Linh's armor was crafted with handcrafted details from genuine cowhide, featuring unique engraved patterns and meticulous surface treatment to create a realistic feel on screen. The weaponry system was also specially designed based on historical documents from the Dinh-Ly period...
In terms of action, martial arts director Johnny Trí Nguyễn chose an approach that emphasized real combat. The actors all underwent more than six months of intense martial arts training. “When they appeared on screen, they truly became masters, not thanks to special effects or AI, but from their own hard work and training,” Johnny Trí Nguyễn shared. The film also brought together many professional martial artists and national and international martial arts champions to enhance the authenticity of the large-scale fight scenes.
The film "Guardian of the Spirits - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb" is scheduled to premiere on National Day, September 2nd, 2026, with the hope of continuing the success of "Red Rain," gradually establishing an annual historical film season for Vietnamese audiences during Independence Day. With this work, the producers and crew also express their aspiration to build a cinematic ecosystem about Vietnamese national heroes.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khoi-day-hao-khi-dan-toc-qua-man-anh-rong-750429.html
Comment (0)