Introduction to Vietnamese Cinema
Lotte Entertainment in South Korea has taken a significant step by adding the first Vietnamese titles to its sales slate. This move is led by Le-Van Kiet’s Busan selection, Federal Bride. The film investment, sales, production, and international sales company has been discussing these titles with buyers at the Asian Content & Film Market (ACFM).
Featured Films
The titles include drama Lift Me Up, also directed by Kiet, and the family comedy The Scent of Pho by Minh Beta. Hana Choi, director of international business at Lotte Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for But From, a title published by Lotte’s Vietnam business. Directed by Nguyen Huu Hoang, But From became a hit, earning $5.1 million (VND126 billion) and selling 1.68 million tickets, making it the third highest local film of 2024 and the second largest local horror film in Vietnam.
Expanding Vietnamese Cinema
Federal Bride is the first Vietnamese feature to be selected for the Midnight Passion Beach of the Busan International Film Festival. Set in the 19th century, it follows a young bride who discovers a dark, supernatural truth about her husband’s family and the secrets behind their wealth. The lineup is produced by Orange Films and stars Tranh My, Nsut Trung Anh, Huu VI, and Lanh Thanh. Director Kiet has managed several local cash hits and is one of the few Vietnamese filmmakers to get opportunities in Hollywood, with works including Soft, action film hit Fury, The Princess, and The Requiem.
Upcoming Projects
Also in Kiet’s pipeline is Lift Me Up, a drama about two siblings pushed into conflicts that test their bond and sometimes their lives. Starring Le Khanh and Thuan Nguyen, it is produced by Khang Media and planned for local release in October. The initial Vietnamese titles in Lotte Entertainment’s slate are rounded off by The Scent of Pho under the direction of Minh Beta. This film follows a revered Pho master in Hanoi who is determined to pass on his secret recipe to his only grandson but faces obstacles when his daughter-in-law forbids him to see the boy.
Future Plans
Looking to the future, Lotte Entertainment plans to add another seven titles from Vietnam to its sales wing next year and will consider co-production, with additional partnerships in Southeast Asia and further expanding its business through South Korea. This move signifies a significant expansion of Vietnamese cinema into the international market, with Lotte Entertainment playing a pivotal role in introducing Vietnamese films to a broader audience.
