'Red Rain' is a contender for the 2026 Oscars.

Poster for the film Red Rain. Photo: Provided by the film crew. — Poster for the film "Red Rain". Photo: *Provided by the film crew.*

On September 30th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the selection of director Dang Thai Huyen's work for the preliminary round of the Best International Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

According to the authorities, this is "a special event, affirming the efforts of Vietnamese cinema to integrate into the world's largest film arena."

Previously, the Ministry established a National Council for selecting films to participate in the 2026 Oscar preliminary round. The council consists of five members: managers, artists, directors, producers, and screenwriters. The chairman of the council is Mr. Dang Tran Cuong, Director of the Department of Cinema.

The film, scripted by writer Chu Lai, is set in 1972, when the South Vietnamese Liberation Army had completely captured Quang Tri province – the temporary dividing line between North and South Vietnam. Having lost their strategic base and facing the risk of losing Thua Thien province as well, the US reinforced the South Vietnamese army with weapons to counterattack and retake Quang Tri, especially the ancient citadel, in order to force a favorable agreement into being signed.

After a month in theaters, the film attracted over 8.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched film in domestic box office history. In its final days, the film maintained around 8-10 screenings in major theaters, all of which sold out. By September 28th, "Red Rain" had grossed 710 billion VND, becoming the highest-grossing film ever.

The film's production representative, Colonel Nguyen Thu Dung, director of the People's Army Film Studio, stated that the film's revenue "exceeded expectations." The team is delighted that "Red Rain " has transcended the boundaries of a feature film to become a cultural event, inspiring audiences. According to director Dang Thai Huyen, the film contributes a small part to reaffirming the position of war and revolutionary films in the flow of modern Vietnamese cinema.

The film was meticulously produced from the pre-production stage, featuring grand settings and numerous large-scale battle scenes. The producers did not disclose the investment figures, but experts estimate the budget reached hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong. The crew built a 50-hectare film set on the banks of the Thach Han River. During filming, the crew used a modern system of equipment and lighting. In many scenes, the director of photography used up to seven cameras.

The Oscars – the annual awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – is the most famous and prestigious film event in the world. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast on March 15, 2026. The shortlist for Best International Film will be announced on December 16, and the final five nominees will be announced on January 22, 2026.

PV (compiled)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/mua-do-tranh-giai-oscar-2026-522206.html