HCM CITY Two Vietnamese films aimed at youth will be screened as cinemas begin to offer more locally produced movies.    

Teenagers are eagerly awaiting the film Ca Chon, Anh Dung Di!  (Honey, Don’t Go), produced by CBK Entertainment on April 19.   

Directed by Do Cuong, the romantic comedy is about a girl who falls in love with a poor painter.

The 90-minute work highlights urban youth who work hard to develop their career. After facing challenges, they finally become successful.

Director Cuong used young talents Kieu Trinh and Xuan Phuc, graduates of HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography, to play leading roles.

The film’s teaser on YouTube has attracted nearly 8,600 viewers after a week of its release.  

In an interview with local media before filming, Cuong said that romantic comedies had returned. “Ca Chon, Anh Dung Di! is a song in praise of youth and love.”

“I hope young audiences will see themselves after watching the characters in my film,” said Cuong, who spent two years on the production.  

Cuong’s biggest competitor, Vietnamese-American director Ham Tran will also release his third film, Thien Linh Cai (Kuman Thoong), on April 19.

Ham decided to return to a horror film, his favourite topic, instead of working on comedies as usual.     

“Scary films from Hollywood, South Korea, China and Thailand have earned big profits in ticket sales in Viet Nam. I think Vietnamese youth like horror films because they want to be frightened, or they wouldn’t do it twice,” said Ham.

Ham made his mark with the wildly popular Doat Hon (Hollow), a blockbuster in summer 2016 that was instrumental in introducing his brand name to Viet Nam.

His previous film was a kung fu film, starring young rapper Suboi and fashion model Nhung Kate. 

Sieu Trom (Bitcoin Heist) features the daily life and work of hackers, focusing on a young woman hunted by a female secret agent.

Thien Linh Cai is based on a true story about a mass murder in Dong Thap Province. 

Ham used a young and attractive cast, including Hoang Yen Chibi, Quang Tuan, Thanh Tu and Lam Thanh My, to draw young audiences.

Produced by Yeah1CMG and Galaxy M&E, the film’s teaser on YouTube has attracted more than 700,000 viewers.  

Critics and fans hope Thien Linh Cai will bring a different dimension to the industry dominated by comedies and light fare. — VNS