Viet Nam News
DA LAT — Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu is working on a new action film, Loi Bao (In the Storm), together with his young staff in Da Lat City.
The film features secrets about a superman, played by dancer and rapper Cuong Seven, who fights evil and protects the innocent.
“My film is not about a Hollywood superman. It portrays a Vietnamese character, who live simply but works big to keep the country and people safe,” Vu told local media before the film’s first poster was released last week.
Vu worked with his staff, including art director Vincent Wang and dancer- rapper Cuong Seven of Ha Noi, who plays the superman, to feature his views in the film.
“I decided to cast Cuong, a new face for my leading role, because I believe in his talent,” he said.
After the film’s first images of a hidden man flying in air were released online, Loi Bao was praised by many viewers.
Vu’s staff is working in Da Lat for their kung-fu scenes. The film’s last scenes will be completed in early March.
Vu is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in the US. Loi Bao is considered the best work of its kind about a superman in Viet Nam.
His first film in Viet Nam, Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu (Passport to Love), was a romantic comedy that won Favourite Film at the 2008 Golden Kite Award given by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association.
The film attracted visual effects director Peter Soto, composer Christopher Wong, costume designer Michelle Ngo and Vietnamese-American actress Kathy Uyen. It was distributed in the US.
His second film, Giao Lo Dinh Menh (Inferno), released in 2010 and starring dozens of local artists such as Tran Binh Minh and Tang Bao Quyen.
The film is about the work and love of urban Vietnamese youth.
In 2012, his kung fu film Thien Menh Anh Hung (Blood Letter) won the jury prize at the International Film Festival in Ha Noi.
One year later, his Bi Mat Tham Do (Scandal), a work about the dark side of show business, received the Golden Kite Prize for best director, presented by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association. Both films were box office records.
“I have learned a lot about Viet Nam’s history, traditional culture and lifestyle,” said Vu, adding that he sees his future here.
In 2014, his fourth film Qua Tim Mau (Vengeful Heart), a horror film, starring famous comedian Thai Hoa, earned more than VND24 billion (US$1.1 million) in just three days after release.
Vu divides his time between the US and Viet Nam. His Loi Bao will be released in September. — VNS