Miss Universe Vietnam 2018, H'hen Niê, stars in '578: Phát Đạn Của Kẻ Điên' (578: Magnum). The action film will represent Việt Nam at Oscars 2023. Photo courtesy of Galaxy Cinema

HÀ NỘI An action film starring Miss Universe Vietnam 2018, H'hen Niê, 578: Phát Đạn Của Kẻ Điên (578: Magnum), has been selected as Vietnamese representative at the 95th Oscars, 2023.

Adapted from the novel of the same name written by its director, Lương Đình Dũng, 578: Magnum is a heartbreaking story related to paedophilia, a topic that has never been explored on the big screen in Việt Nam.

The film stars French-Vietnamese actor Alexandre Nguyen, Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 H'hen Niê, along with the participation of foreign filmmakers, including British director Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and South Korean stunt-director Oh Sea-young (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Snowpiercer). It was released in domestic theatres in May, labelled C18+.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected the film to vie for the 95th Academy Awards in the International Film category.

578: Magnum was also selected to compete for the "Best Film" award at the Tallinn Black Nights International Film Festival -- one of the most prestigious and long-standing film festivals in the Nordic region.

Established in 1997, it is one of the most prestigious and largest international film festivals in Northern Europe, recognised by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations as one of the 14 world’s A-class film festivals.

The 26th edition of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival will take place from November 11-27.

578: Magnum has also become the first Việt Nam action film to attend one of the top international A-class film festivals. It is expected to compete in 11 international film festivals till next May.

Mike Newell, director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, watched the film four times and gave valuable comments and compliments.

Meanwhile, former director of the Venice Film Festival Marco Mulleralso praised the impressive action scenes.

However, the selection of 578: Magnum to represent Việt Nam at Oscars has sparked mixed opinions from critics and audiences due to its quality and content.

On many film forums, netizens raised the question why the VNĐ60 billion (US$2.54 million) action film that was critised for its quality and low revenue has chosen for the qualifying round of the most prestigious film award on the planet.

Regarding this issue, the culture ministry's Director of Cinema Department Vi Kiến Thành told Vietnamnet.vn that 578: Magnum won the highest score from the National Council; therefore, it has been selected for the preliminary round of the International Feature Film category of Oscars 2023.

Director Dũng said that he had completed the submission of necessary dossiers to the Oscar organisers, adding that he was taken by surprise at the selection.

He revealed that the script for part two of the movie has been completed but didn't specify the official shooting schedule. VNS