Socialist Republic of Vietnam

With low production costs and a desire to tell stories about Vietnam, two more overseas Vietnamese film directors have decided to return to their homeland to shoot their film projects.
The overseas Vietnamese film directors have followed the footsteps of many other fellow directors in choosing Vietnam to produce their films and the increasing trend is expected to breathe new life into the country’s film industry.

Le Hoang Hoa, who was famed for his horror comedy Con ma nha ho Hua (The Ghost of the Hua Family) in Saigon before 1975, is making a five-minute film estimated to cost nearly 500 million VND. The short film, Mot nua phia ben kia (The Other Half) stars actress Anh Thu, widely known for her role in the Gai nhay (Bar Girl) films.

The film crew is currently putting the final touches on the film using movie editing software that is expected to give the film its desired magical effect, said Mr. Hoa.

The director said the short film was a good chance to try out the movie editing software in Vietnam to prepare for future projects. The cost of the software is much lower than abroad, he added. The director also tried using high-definition digital video cameras in the project.

However, the veteran director is expected to make his big return to Vietnam’s film industry by making a sequel to his successful Con ma nha ho Hua comedy. The sequel Con ma nha ho Hua tro lai (The Ghost of the Hua Family Returns) is expected to repeat the box-office success of the first film.

The film will be shot in the Central Highlands city of Dalat, starring veteran actor Nguyen Chanh Tin and actress Le Khanh. The film will also be released in some other Asian countries.

Ringo Le, a film and television graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is another director who will make a journey back to his homeland for a film project. The 26-year-old man, whose Vietnamese name is Le Quang Vinh, has decided to choose Vietnam for his first project, titled Chuyen tinh Sai Gon (Saigon Love Story).

This film will be produced by his production company, Celluloid Dragon Pictures Co. The total production costs are estimated to be more than 400,000 USD.

“I wanted to make a film about Vietnam,” said Mr. Le. “I have gained profound impressions of Vietnam during my visits here. Saigon Love Story will feature a new outlook on Vietnam as a rising country where today’s young generation is trying to achieve its noble goals,” said Mr. Le.

Mr. Le, who also completed scriptwriting and acting courses, said he would make the film with a “Hollywood” flair and bring it to international film festivals.

The filming crew will begin work this month. Ngo Thanh Van, Dinh Thoai Yen Vy and Hua Vy Van have been chosen as the main actors for the film.

Reported by Tram Anh & Le Phuong Anh - Translated by T.H.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 19 November, 2004, 22:52:58 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News