Viet Nam News
HA NOI — The Vietnamese movie Dao cua Dan Ngu Cu (The Way Station) won Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director of Photography award in ASEAN International Films Festival & Awards (AIFFA) 2017 held in Malaysia on May 6.
“I am very happy that my first film, a representative for Viet Nam in the competition had eight important nominations, making it the film with most nominations in AIFFA this year. This is a huge happiness for me and a pride of the film crew. All our efforts and dedication have been recognised. I expect the film to be more warmly received and welcomed by Viet Nam movie experts and audience,” said director Hong Anh.
The movie, directed by Hong Anh surpassed 109 movie entries across the region and hit the record nominations in eight key categories which included Best Film, Best Director (Hong Anh), Best Actress (Ngoc Thanh Tam), Best Actor (Pham Hong Phuoc), Best Actress in Supporting Role (Ngoc Hiep), Best Screenplay (writer Nguyen Quang Lap), Best Director of Photography (Ly Thai Dung) and Best Film Editing (Julie Beziau).
The Way Station is adapted from Do Phuoc Tien’s story titled Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu (The Island of Aliens) written in 1992. It was translated into French and English. Famed writer Nguyen Quang Lap wrote the movie script in 1996.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Phuoc, a restaurant chef’s assistant, who portrays the desperation of the characters in their search for happiness. The other characters include a Chinese-Vietnamese businessman and his daughter, an Indian-Vietnamese businessman and a Khmer from the south of Viet Nam.
It takes place in a restaurant called White Night, which is almost a character in itself, observing everyone inside including the owner, and their old-fashioned arbitrary way of thinking.
The film takes the audience through the lives of people from around the country who gather in a little village by the sea. It depicts the confusion and uncertainty of their journeys to find happiness and meaning.
The Way Station marked actress Hong Anh’s debut in her director role.
After AIFFA 2017, The Way Station will be screened in Cannes Festival Film 2017’s Viet Nam Night event in May 20 and Viet Nam Film Week in Barcelona in May 25. — VNS