Vietnamese Lunar New Year films "go abroad":

While creating a buzz and dominating domestic box offices in the early days of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, Vietnamese Tet films are simultaneously expanding their international distribution. Vietnamese cinema is entering a new phase, bringing family stories and domestic culture to audiences around the world.

Exciting trips abroad!

In the early days of the new year, alongside serving audiences in domestic cinemas, several Vietnamese Lunar New Year films have "gone abroad" earlier than usual. Leading the way is "Heaven's Gift," a work by director Le Thanh Son. On February 19th and 20th (the 3rd and 4th days of the Lunar New Year), the film was officially released in Australia and the United States, becoming one of the first Vietnamese Lunar New Year films of the year to be simultaneously available in multiple international markets.

The main actors of the film "Heaven-Sent Treasure" interact with the audience. Photo: DPCC.

In the US, many large theater chains have started selling screening tickets for the film, especially in states with large Vietnamese communities such as California and Florida. The appearance of the film in commercial theaters, instead of being limited to screenings for the Vietnamese diaspora, shows the ambition of Vietnamese filmmakers to reach a wider local audience.

In the domestic market, "Heaven's Gift" is also making a good impression. As of the afternoon of February 22nd, after 6 days of official release, the film had grossed over 45 billion VND, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers. In particular, the two versions of the film's ending shown randomly have created curiosity, drawing viewers back to theaters.

"Heaven-Sent Treasure" tells the story of Ngoc (played by Phuong Anh Dao), a single mother on a journey to find a home for her son. Her encounter with Hong (played by Tuan Tran) at sea opens up many humorous and touching situations. In particular, the character played by Quach Ngoc Ngoan brings a surprise to the audience. The setting of a Central Vietnamese fishing village, the Nghinh Ong festival, and the fish sauce making industry are brought to the screen as a layer of "cultural flavor," evoking a sense of familiarity for viewers far from home.

The film "The Scent of Pho," deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, will be released abroad. Photo: Beta

While "Heavenly Treasure" represents the Tet atmosphere of the coastal region, "The Scent of Pho" brings the culinary flavors and memories of Northern Vietnam to the audience. Director Minh Beta's work has garnered attention with the announcement of its release plans in Europe, the US, Australia, Japan, and many other countries.

The film explores the story of a family passing down the art of making pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) through generations. Images of the hearth, the steaming pot of broth, and the bustling old town during the Lunar New Year season evoke a warm feeling. Comedian Xuan Hinh plays Mr. Mui – a character who is both strict and compassionate. His collaboration with artist Thanh Thanh Hien brings layers of emotion. The music blends traditional Vietnamese folk songs, ceremonial singing, and contemporary rap, allowing the traditional story to resonate with a contemporary spirit...

The journey of promoting Vietnamese culture to the world.

The two remaining films in this year's Lunar New Year film season, "Rabbit, Oh!!" by Tran Thanh and "My Father's House, One Room" by Truong Giang, have not yet announced their overseas release schedules, but are highly likely to be screened internationally after their Vietnamese premieres.

The film "Heaven-Sent Treasure" brings the festive atmosphere of the coastal region to the audience. Photo: DPCC

Because Tran Thanh's previous films, such as "The Godfather," "Mrs. Nu's House," "Mai," and "The Four Venomous Women," have all been shown in hundreds of theaters in the US, "Rabbit, Oh!!" building on its success in Vietnam will surely reach theaters abroad.

Another project in this year's Lunar New Year film season is "My Father's House, One Room". With some overseas settings, characters with cross-cultural elements, and director Truong Giang's experience in the international market, it's highly likely the film will also be released abroad in the near future.

In reality, the goal of Vietnamese Lunar New Year films when brought to the international market is not primarily focused on revenue, but rather on promoting Vietnamese culture and people. Vietnamese Lunar New Year films often revolve around family, reunion meals, customs and festivals, traditional food, and everyday life. These details, seemingly familiar to domestic audiences, become appealing to foreign viewers. They find in these films a colorful, relatable, and emotionally rich image of Vietnam.

Cinema has become a "soft passport," instead of introducing things through words, stories are told through images, music, and life. A steaming bowl of pho, a flower market on the eve of Tet (Lunar New Year), or a bustling fishing village during a festival can evoke emotions in viewers in any country.

The cast and crew of the film "The Scent of Pho" interact with the audience. Photo: Beta.

The journey of "going abroad" also places new demands on Vietnamese filmmakers: technical quality must approach international standards, the script needs to be tight, and the storytelling must be universal enough for foreign audiences to understand and empathize. When crossing territorial boundaries, a film no longer represents a single team but carries the image of the entire film industry.

This year's Lunar New Year film season holds even more significance. The films not only meet the entertainment needs of domestic audiences during the spring festival but also contribute to showcasing the image of Vietnam, its people, and its culture to the international community. These early-year endeavors serve as a promising springboard, opening up expectations for Vietnamese cinema to confidently accelerate and reach even greater milestones in the new year.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phim-tet-viet-xuat-ngoai-hanh-trinh-mang-huong-vi-mua-xuan-ra-the-gioi-734607.html