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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