HCM CITY —  After five years of working in the theatre, director Lê Hoàng has completed his latest film project on child sexual abuse, which is expected to be released in HCM City this summer. 

The 100-minute film, S.O.S. Sói Trắng (S.O.S. White Wolf), focuses on the tragedies of children who were victims of child molestation.

Hoàng told the local media that he had decided to make a film about a sensitive subject because he thought it was “a hot-button issue after a number of molestations were reported on social platforms recently”.

“I believe those who are silent about sexual abuse of children support the crime,” he said. “We have failed to act. We chose to stay silent, a behaviour which comes from traditional culture: fear of talking about sex. As a result, no offenders have been punished.”

Hoàng said he worked hard on the film’s screenplay.

The director and his producer, Bồ Thùy Linh, have kept their film a secret from the media, but they have promised it will provide lessons about a serious issue that many youth know little about.

“We hope our production will bring evil deeds to light,” said Hoàng, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

"I think the film will be a hit phenomenon with both teenagers and adults because the film is about something we want to talk about,” said Nguyễn Vũ Quỳnh Chi, a 10th-grade student from Bình Thạnh District. 

“I watched the teaser trailer of Hoàng’s film online. It left a very strong impression on viewers,” she added.

Chi said that Hoàng should tailor the film to children and teenagers, who must be equipped with enough information about sexual harassment to know how to protect themselves.

In the 1980s and 90s, Hoàng worked for the Giải Phóng (Liberation) Film Studio, one of the region’s leading State-owned film companies.

He reached fame with dozens of quality films, including award-winning works Lương Tâm Bé Bỏng (Little Conscience) and Lưỡi Dao (The Knife) presented by the Việt Nam Cinematography Department. 

In 2001, his blockbuster, Gái Nhảy (Bar Girl) earned more than VNĐ12 billion (US$660,000 at that time), which launched the commercial film-making trend in Việt Nam.  

Post-production of S.O.S Sói Trắng will be completed this week.

Distributed by Thiên Ngân (Galaxy), the film will be in cinemas on June 16. — VNS