HCM CITY — Chàng Vợ Của Em (My Mr Wife), a movie on struggle of woman in modern society, won the two top prizes at the annual 2018 Golden Kite awards given by the Việt Nam Cinema Association in HCM City last night.

Vietnamese-America director and film producer Charlie Nguyễn’s comedy won the Golden Kite awards for Best Feature Film.

Charlie, who was also successful in comedies Để Mai Tính (Fool for Love) and Cưới Ngay Kẻo Lỡ (Love Puzzle) and Fan Cuồng (Fanatic), received the award for Best Director.

Chàng Vợ Của Em is adapted from the English novel Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders, featuring the love story of a homely man and a successful woman.

The film earned VNĐ87 billion (US$3.75 million) in ticket sales.

Hoàng Yến Chibi, who plays the leading role in director Nguyễn Quang Dũng’s Tháng Năm Rực Rỡ (Splendid Years) on friendship and reunification of a group of urban women who used to be friends in their youth, won the award for Best Actress.

The Golden Kite award for Best Actor went to Liên Bỉnh Phát, who plays the role of cải lương (reformed opera) performer in Song Lang (The Tap Box) about the 100-year history and development of cải lương, a traditional theatre genre in the South. 

In the TV series category, the Golden Kite awards were presented to director Đỗ Phú Hải and Phạm Ngọc Châu’s 40-episode Bên Kia Sông (The Other Side of a River), and director Mai Hồng Phong’s 28-part Quỳnh Búp Bê (“Doll” Quỳnh), both reflecting today social issues.

Nguyễn Khải Anh received Best Director award for his 24-episode series Ngày Ấy Mình Đã Yêu (The Day We Fell in Love) produced by Việt Nam Television (VTV) Film Studio.

The Việt Nam Animation Studio's 30-minute Bí Mật Hang Duôn (Secret in Duôn Cave) about children group’s adventure to Duôn Cave , won Best Animation Film, while its director received Best Animation Director award.

Mễ A by young director of Khánh Chi of the Quảng Bình Province Television and Radio Station was named Best Short Film.

Director Đoàn Hồng Lê of VTV received the Golden Kite Awards for Best Documentary with Hãy Nhớ Bạn Đang Sống (You’re Still Alive).

Late People’s Artist Phạm Khắc and late People’s Artist Nguyễn Thế Đoàn were honoured for their contribution to the industry.

The organisers also handed out prizes to screenwriters, for sound and visual effects, cinematography research works and scientific films.

The 2018 Golden Kite awards drew 144 entries, including 14 feature films, 13 TV series, 26 short films, 14 animated films, 61 documentaries, 14 science films, and two cinematography researches. — VNS