HCM CITY — The arrival of Tết marks a race among Vietnamese filmmakers to grab audiences’ attention as they launch their films for the Lunar New Year festive season.
On January 29, three highly anticipated films will premiere: Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (The 4 Rascals) directed by the trendy Trấn Thành; Nụ Hôn Bạc Tỷ (Money Kisses) directed by actress-turned-producer Thu Trang; and Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân (The Friendship Boundary) co-directed by Diệp Thế Vinh and Nguyễn Quang Dũng.
On February 7, the horror film Đèn Âm Hồn (The Soul Lantern) directed by Hoàng Nam will also hit theatres.
Beauty queen ventures into acting
Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 Đoàn Thiên Ân stars as lead character Thúy Vân in the film Nụ Hôn Bạc Tỷ (Money Kisses), while director Thu Trang plays Thúy Kiều, Thúy Vân’s sister. This is Ân’s second film role and her first as a lead actress, after portraying songstress Bảy Loan in Công Tử Bạc Liêu (The Prince of Bạc Liêu), which came out last December.
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| Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 Đoàn Thiên Ân stars in the film Nụ Hôn Bạc Tỷ (Money Kisses). Photo courtesy of Thu Trang Entertainment |
To prepare for her role and learn the art of making bread, Ân undertook a pre-production course under the guidance of a bakery artisan. Director Thu Trang said that she chose Ân not only because of her beauty, but for her acting ability and suitability for the character.
The film Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ stars two beauty queens, Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 Kỳ Duyên and Miss Vietnam 2018 Tiểu Vy. This is Kỳ Duyên’s debut in a feature film, while Tiểu Vy previously appeared in Đảo Độc Đắc – Tử Mẫu Thiên Linh Cái (Kumanthong Returns – Jackpot Island) and had a guest role in Mai. They are joined by a talented cast including Quốc Anh, Trấn Thành, Lê Dương Bảo Lâm, Lê Giang and Uyển Ân.
Director Trấn Thành praised the casting of Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ, highlighting the amazing chemistry between Kỳ Duyên, Tiểu Vy and lead actor Quốc Anh. Although Kỳ Duyên and Tiểu Vy were initially uncertain about their acting skills since they aren’t professional actors, they quickly assimilated his guidance during rehearsals and demonstrated their potential. “Their beauty aside, it’s their cohesive performances that truly stand out,” he remarked.
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| Miss Vietnam 2018 Tiểu Vy stars in a scene of the movie Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (The 4 Rascals). Photo courtesy of Trấn Thành Town |
The appearance of beauty queens in films has generated much anticipation and curiosity about their on-screen performances, with lively comparisons expected after the films’ release.
Đoàn Thiên Ân has determined to pursue a career in cinema, having taken acting courses and honing her craft with each role. To overcome public prejudice about beauty queens acting and the notion of being ‘decorative flowers,’ she aims to fully embody each character.
“I don’t feel pressured by comparisons with other beauty queens in film. My biggest challenge is to perform well enough for the audience to recognise my efforts,” she said.
In contrast, Tiểu Vy feels the pressure. She stated: “Until now, I always thought of myself as just a beauty queen. But now, as an actress, I truly take pride in this role and want to connect closely with the audience.”
Meanwhile, the ever-passionate Kỳ Duyên expressed her deep dedication to cinema, stating: “Cinema is my great passion, and I want to dedicate myself fully to it.”
Director and actress Thu Trang believes that the inclusion of beauty queens in these movies is merely an interesting coincidence. She emphasises that being a beauty queen is more of a temporary title than a profession. Thu Trang hopes that audiences will view the participation of beauty queens in films in the same way they would see young actresses making their debut, giving them a chance to showcase their talents and contribute to the cinematic world.
Humorous and emotional
Excepting the horror film Đèn Âm Hồn (The Soul Lantern) set to premiere on February 7, all of the other Tết movies — Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ, Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân and Nụ Hôn Bạc Tỷ — are a delightful mix of romance and humour.
These movies convey meaningful messages about family, friendships, love and humanity. While they bring laughter with humorous scenes at the start of the year, they also showcase emotional and heartfelt moments.
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| A scene from the movie Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (The 4 Rascals) directed by Trấn Thành. Photo courtesy of Trấn Thành Town |
Although themes of family love, kinship, romance and friendship are timeless, filmmakers strive to find new ways to express these themes and create distinct highlights.
In addition to directing and producing Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ, Trấn Thành is also an investor and co-producer of Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân.
The Tết film market is considered a ‘golden season’, a time when many filmmakers release their cherished works to captivate the audience. In recent years, this ‘golden season’ has consistently featured high-grossing films like Nhà Bà Nữ (Mrs. Nữ’s Family), Chị Chị Em Em 2 (The Sisters 2), Gặp Lại Chị Bầu (Meet You Again) and Mai.
Filmmakers believe that the abundance of films released during Tết reflects the diverse entertainment options available to audiences. It’s not about viewing each other as competitors, but rather embracing the idea of a ‘common marketplace’ where works can be showcased, leaving the choice to the audience. VNS
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