VIETNAMESE IN-COMPETITION FILMS

The 10 films in the Vietnamese In-competition Film category competing at DANAFF II composed a “buffet” with more colors and flavors than the 8 Vietnamese films competing at DANAFF I. Not only the number has risen; the ranks are joined by more diverse genres of films by filmmakers of different generations and diverse screen personalities – from famous films star actors to faces rarely appear on the silver screen.

Garnering the most attention in the first half of 2024, Mai and Peach Blossom, Pho a nd Piano had an unprecedented competition in Vietnamese theaters on the occasion of Lunar New year (February and March 2024). While both films generated strong audience effect and lasting public opinion, the odd thing is that this marks perhaps the very first instance for a competition between a commercial film – that set a historical box office revenue record: Mai – and a film about the revolutionary war ordered by the State: Peach Blossom, Pho and Piano. Face Off 7: One Wish also achieved remarkable revenue – at the time of writing, second only to Mai – in just a little over 1 month of release, and by June 2024 is still ranked top 5 at the box office.
The two horror films on the competition list, Crimson Snout and The Soul Reaper, are refreshing and much-welcome additions to Vietnamese cinema, as “domestic” horror films so far have not made much of an impression. In addition, psychological comedy films such as Nhot Must Marry and A Destined Encounter will go head-to-head with the highly cinematic drama The Last Wife, the psychological drama about the fate of traditional art Light on, and the film about the pure love of enlisted youngsters The Rose Squad. The diverse lineup of Vietnamese films participating in this year’s competition will certainly make it tough for the DANAFF II Jury to reach the final verdicts.