By Phương Mai

HCM CITY – Tết (Lunar New Year) is usually the busiest season for the Vietnamese film industry, with a clutch of new movies releasing to entertain audiences during the long holiday.

Action movie star and producer Hoàng Phúc has taken on a new role as director and has wrapped up filming of an action-comedy flick called Lục Vân Tiên: Tuyệt Đỉnh Kungfu (Lục Vân Tiên: Kungfu Hustle).

Phúc and his crew are now working on post-production for a Tết release.

The movie is based on Lục Vân Tiên, the 19^th century epic of the same name by Nguyễn Đình Chiểu.

It tells the story of the love between the poor but talented Lục Vân Tiên and wealthy girl Kiều Nguyệt Nga.

Though they live in feudal times, they face down hardships to consummate their love.

“I added some details to the film to make it contemporary, but the story’s significance about the power of true love, bravery and justice is eternal,” Phúc, who also wrote the script, said.

“I spent VNĐ12 billion (US$538,000) on the film to ensure production quality.”

He cast Vietnamese-German action actor Andy Long, who has played minor roles in Jackie Chan films, as Lục Vân Tiên.

He signed up local martial artists to co-ordinate the movie’s fight scenes to make them authentic.

“I believe my film will bring truly fight scenes and beautiful images of Vietnamese landscapes to audiences,” Phúc said, adding it was shot on beautiful locations in Bình Phước, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu and Long An provinces.

Private studio Sóng Vàng (Golden Waves) will release its comic fantasy Rừng Xanh Kỳ Lạ Truyện (Magical Forest) for the New Year.

It tells the story of a man who lives in a forest with mysterious creatures.

From its trailer, it appears to be a Vietnamese version of Tarzan.

It has been written and directed by actor Khương Ngọc, popular for movies and TV series like Thiên Mệnh Anh Hùng (Blood Letter) and Scandal.

Ngọc said, “Though I have a lot of experience in making films, it was the first time I challenged myself as a scriptwriter and director.”

The film stars Meritorious Artist Hoài Linh and famous comedians like Thu Trang and Tiến Luật.

“To interpret our ideas on screen, we uses new filming technologies,” Ngọc added.

A Sóng Vàng spokesperson said a lot of money has been spent on 3D effects for the film.

Four other films will also be ready for a Tết release.

One of them is horror film Lời Nguyền Gia Tộc (Family Curse), a co-production by private channel Style TV and filmmaker Đặng Thái Huyền.

The rest are comedies: Chạy Đi Rồi Tính (Run First) by Namcito and Bảo Nhân, Nàng Tiên Có Năm Nhà (A Pretty Woman) by veteran Trần Ngọc Giàu, and Vali Tình Yêu (Love Suitcase) by Bùi Minh Hoàng. – VNS