Viet Nam's first 3-D flick among new Tet releases

by Thu Anh

Jumping off: The poster of Bong Ma Hoc Duong, the country's first 3D-film, produced by Thien Ngan Studios. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — As usual, a slew of films are ready for release during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, including Viet Nam's first 3-D flick, and studios are hoping to part young moviegoers and their money.

Thien Ngan (Galaxy) Studios, one of the country's biggest, believes its 3-D movie Bong Ma Hoc Duong (Ghost at School) will be a hit and a step forward for the entire industry.

To make sure nothing goes wrong, it spent a packet on hiring Hollywood cinematographer Joel Spezeski.

"Our film's post-production was done in Hong Kong," its director Le Bao Trung, who learnt 3-D film-making in Hong Kong before beginning the project, said.

Promising lively sound and light effects throughout, he hoped the film will encourage more Vietnamese filmmakers to make 3-D films.

Ghost at School is a comic horror film about an online thriller writer who is haunted by a bunch of young people's ghosts.

The US$1 million production stars dozens of young pop stars and fashion models like Wanbi Tuan Anh, Truong Quynh Anh, and Dinh Ngoc Diep.

But its explicit scenes have already become a lightning rod for criticism by critics and educators who are anxious about the effects on young audiences after viewing its trailer online.

"I don't think Bong Ma Hoc Duong with its sexy scenes is suitable for teenaged audiences who will go to the cinema without their parents during Tet," Nguyen Minh Nga, a teacher and psychologist in HCM City, said.

Film-makers should take more responsibility for their works because "movies offer not only entertainment but also education."

But the producers dismiss the fears, insisting their film is safe for young viewers.

"Through our film, we hope young audiences, particularly teenagers, learn about bravery, honour, and responsibility," Dinh Thi Thanh Huong, a member of Thien Ngan's managing board, said.

She also believed critics will change their views after seeing the film.

Ghost at School releases in cinemas a week before Tet which falls on February 3 this year.

BHD Company and its partner, Saiga Films, commissioned Vietnamese-American Victor Vu to direct the comedy Co Dau Dai Chien (War of the Brides).

Vu, who studied film-making at Loyola Marymount University in the US, has made a kungfu comedy a la Jackie Chan.

Phuoc Sang Films' Thien Su... 99 (The Cherub... 99) is a romantic film that also has comedy and action.

The film features several famous artists, including upcoming singers Khong Tu Quynh and Ngo Kien Huy. — VNS

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Action flick kicks off holiday season

Black and white: Singer Siu Black and model Anh Thu in the movie Gentle as a Nun. — File Photo

HA NOI — Viet Nam's first holiday season movie release, Em Hien Nhu Ma So (Gentle as a Nun), hits cinemas yesterday.

In the film, directed by Hoang Thien Tru, a former singing star (real-life singer Siu Black) meets a Buddhist nun (Anh Thu) who is a martial arts expert on a secret mission to recover a priceless religious artefact. The two of them witness a murder committed by the son of a mafia boss and, entangled with the underworld, take refuge in a church.

Anh Thu has previously appeared in such popular films as Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai (Long-Legged Girls) and Hon Truong Ba Da Hang Thit (The Butcher's Soul and Truong Ba's Body). Playing a Buddhist martial arts nun in the new film, she spent two months in martial arts training and performs her own stunts in the film.

For Black, movie acting is still an experiment, although she turned in an engaging performance in the film Huyen Thoai Bat Tu (The Legend Alive). She turns in another surprising performance here, as a former star sour with the passing of her youth.

"I'm keen on action movies," said Black. "Sometimes I forget dialogue, but I'm absorbed in the action scenes,

The holiday movie season will eat up at Tet (Lunar New Year), when the Thien Ngan Studio will release Bong Ma Hoc Duong (Ghost at School), the first 3D movie from director Le Bao Trung.

"To prepare for my biggest project, I spent time to learn 3D filmmaking from specialist Chuck Comisky in Hong Kong," said Trung.

Trung and his crew were supported by cinematographer Joel Spezeski, and post-production for the film was completed in Hong Kong.

Pop singers Wanbi Tuan Anh, Truong Quynh Anh and Elly Tran all play leading roles in the film.

"By using 3D technology, we can make films completely different from 2D products, which have poorer images and music," said Dinh Thanh Huong, the movie's production manager.

High-tech, sophisticated productions would attract fans of different ages and backgrounds, he added.

Ghost at School will be screened in both 2D and 3D versions.

Viet Nam first saw 3D technology in the cartoon Phu Dong Thien Vuong, produced by the HCM City-based LCKSoft Company. Other 3D animations like Tho Va Rua (Rabbit and Turtle) and Chu Heo May Man (Lucky Pig), produced by the Viet Nam Cartoon Studio and the 3D Sao La company, have impressed children.

"I think making 3D cartoons and movies isn't difficult for domestic filmmakers," said Trung, who recently opened his own studio, LBT Entertainment. "But the problem is how to encourage movie producers to become involved in the new business."

Other movies expected for the holiday season will be the Viet Film Studio's Dai Chien Co Dau (Fighting Bride), Thien Su 99 (Angel 99) – produced for the teen market by Phuoc Sang Studio – and Sai Gon Yo! from the Chanh Phuong Studio. — VNS

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