HCM CITY – Vietnamese filmmakers are releasing new movies to entertain audiences during the National Day (September 2) holiday, which falls on September 1-4.  

Kẻ Ẩn Danh (Bad Blood), the directorial debut by Vietnamese-American movie producer Dan Trần, has been in cinemas since August 25.

The 18-rated action comedy revolves around a notorious henchman who lives quietly in a poor neighbourhood with his wife and daughter. When discovering his family is in danger, he does his best to protect them.

The movie stars Kiều Minh Tuấn, who appears in many action projects such as Chị Mười Ba: Ba Ngày Sinh Tử (Sister Thirteen: Three Deadly Days) and Lật Mặt: Ba Chàng Khuyết (Face-Off: The Imperfect Trio), which earned VNĐ108 billion ($4.76 million) and VNĐ85.5 billion ($3.66 million), respectively.

The production also features actors Quốc Trường, Mạc Văn Khoa and Vân Trang.

In order to guarantee the quality of fighting scenes, the director invited action director Samuel Kefi Abrikh from Hollywood to instruct fight choreographies for the actors.

Abrikh has worked in the stunt industry for 18 years as a stunt performer/stunt double specialising in combat in Fast & Furious 6, Bourne 5, Spectre 007, and others. Since 2015, he has been a fight choreographer and stunt coordinator on various international projects.

Dan told local media at the movie premier in HCM City on August 22 that he not only focused on fighting scenes, but also worked carefully on the plot that conveys hidden details which would surprise audiences.

Dan, whose real name is Trần Trọng Dần, is a graduate of the University of California in the US. He was a producer of the movies Ngôi Nhà Trong Hẻm (House in the Alley) and Dịu Dàng (Gentle), both directed by Lê Văn Kiệt.

Bến Phà Xác Sống (Zombie Ferry Station), the sequel of Việt Nam’s first-ever zombie film Cù Lao Xác Sống (Lost in the Mekong Delta), will hit the big screen on September 1, the first day of the holiday.

Directed by Nguyễn Thành Nam, the 18-rated movie follows the survival battle of protagonist Công and his beloved ones from the attack of zombies on an island downstream of the Mekong River.

They must fight with zombies and even humans to approach a ferry station, the only escape from the island.

The cast features Huỳnh Đông, Ốc Thanh Vân, and Lê Lộc, who appeared in the first movie.

Director Nam hoped to have an opportunity to convince audiences that the crew always listens to feedback.

The movie, Cù Lao Xác Sống, which was released during National Day holiday last year, received criticism for its weak plot, scary character design, and bad camera angles.

The film earned only VNĐ12 billion (US$500,300) in ticket sales.

“The industry needs pioneers. Although the beginning is not perfect, more interesting things lay ahead,” Nam said. – VNS