RISING STARS: Young actors Kaity Nguyễn and Trần Ngọc Vàng will perform in director Nguyễn Quang Dũng’s new romantic comedy Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân, a remake of the Thai movie Friend Zone. Photo courtesy of HK Film

HCM CITY — Vietnamese filmmakers are working on new film projects to entertain audiences during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday in 2025.

Director Nguyễn Quang Dũng is busy making his latest project Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân, a remake of Thai movie Friend Zone released in 2019.

The film revolves around two close friends stuck in the “friend zone” and then learning to recognise their true feelings for each other.

The cast will feature young actors Kaity Nguyễn and Trần Ngọc Vàng.

Kaity, who is also the film’s creative director, said at the film introduction in HCM City last month, “The original script is already interesting, so we will update it to make it suitable to the current time and Vietnamese market.”

Kaity debuted in the comedy hit Em Chưa 18 (Jailbait) in 2017, directed by Lê Thanh Sơn, which earned her the award for Best Film Actress at the 20th Việt Nam Film Festival.

She has performed in blockbusters such as Hồn Papa Da Con Gái (Daddy Issues) in 2018, Gái Già Lắm Chiêu V: Những Cuộc Đời Vương Giả (Camilla Sisters), and Người Vợ Cuối Cùng (The Last Wife) in 2023.

She also won the Best Actress award for her role in Camilla Sisters at the 2020 Golden Kite Awards.

Dũng invited Diệp Thế Vinh as the film’s director of photography. Both filmmakers have worked together on several projects.

Dũng debuted as assistant director in Vũ Khúc Con Cò (Dance of the Stork) in 2002.

He is known for blockbusters such as Nụ Hôn Thần Chết (A Kiss of Death) in 2008, Những Nụ Hôn Rực Rỡ (Vivid Kisses) in 2010, and Mỹ Nhân Kế (The Lady Assassin) in 2013.

Dũng’s 2018 film Những Tháng Năm Rực Rỡ (Go-Go Sister), a Vietnamese version of the Korean blockbuster Sunny, became one of the top five grossing Vietnamese films in 2018. The comedy-drama earned VNĐ84 billion (US$3.44 million) in ticket sales.

Yêu Nhầm Bạn Thân is expected to open at national theatres on January 29 or Lunar New Year’s Day.

Comedy

HITMAKER: Film producer and director Trấn Thành, whose movie Mai became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time, will release Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (Mischievous Four) for Tết 2025. Photo courtesy of Trấn Thành Town

Film producer and director Trấn Thành, who is known as a producer of high-grossing movies in Việt Nam, has started filming his new comedy Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (Mischievous Four).

Addressing the opening ceremony of the film's shooting in July, Thành said, “If my previous works conveyed stories and messages of love and family, this time, I want to bring a new colour to my audiences. Let’s welcome the new year together with a lot of laughter.”

The director kept the plot and cast a secret, mentioning that the movie would include funny scenes performed by favourite actors.

Thành rose to fame as one of the most successful film producers in the country thanks to his first movie Bố Già, directed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng, which earned VNĐ427 billion ($17.5 million).

The movie won four top prizes at the 22nd Việt Nam Film Festival organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including the Silver Lotus Award for Best Feature Film, Best Actor Award, Best Supporting Actress and Best Screenplay.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism chose the film as the Vietnamese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film Category at the 2022 Oscar Awards.

His directorial debut Nhà Bà Nữ (The House of No Man) was released in Tết 2023, and earned VNĐ475 billion ($19.46 million).

Thành’s latest movie Mai in Tết 2024 became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time after collecting VNĐ520 billion ($21.25 million) at the local box office.

The 18+ film for adults features a love story of a massage therapist named Mai, who faces misfortunes in life, and Dương, a rich young man who wants to experience a normal life.

The movie won Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Script and Best Production Design at the Golden Kite Awards 2024 organised by the Việt Nam Cinema Association in Nha Trang City last week. — VNS