HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese TV serial Chiều ngang qua phố cũ (Walking on Old Street in the Afternoon) has been announced as the winner of Special Awards for Foreign Drama at the 11th International Drama Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

Director Trịnh Lê Phong and leading actress Nguyễn Minh Trang will represent the film crew to receive the honour at the awards ceremony held on October 26 in Tokyo.

Produced by the Việt Nam Television Film Centre (VFC), the serial was screened domestically in late 2016. It tells the story of a family living in Hà Nội’s Old Quarter, and reflects on how socioeconomic changes have created a generational divide and altered family relationships. When the siblings grow up and have their own families, they become selfish and conflicts over financial interests separate the family members.

Director Phong said he and all members of the film crew felt happy and proud when they received news of the award, which they shared with friends on Facebook.

“It’s not only a film, it’s a story of a family in Hà Nội. It’s such a universal theme that each one of us can find a part of our family,” Phong said.

The drama was nominated for the Best TV Serial at VTV Awards 2017, a domestic award, but didn’t receive the prize.

Phong said it’s common for a film that loses out in one competition to succeed in another.

“I don’t think much about it,” he said. “I just focus on filmmaking and try to do the best.”

Previously, TV serial Chạy án (Obstructing justice with bribery), another work produced by VFC, also received the Special Award for Foreign Drama at the first Tokyo International Drama Festival.

Founded in 2008, the Tokyo International Drama Festival recognises excellent dramas produced in Japan to promote outstanding dramas from Japan to an international audience. The Special Award for Foreign Drama is intended to enhance cultural understanding and business partnerships.

Asia Star

HCM City-based actress Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc was named the Face of Asia at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival in Busan, Korea.

Ngọc, 27, was honoured in the category Asia Star Awards 2017. She shared the title with Choi Minho of Korea, Sugisaki Hana of Japan and Sukollawat Kanaros of Thailand.

Ngọc played a leading role in Cô Ba Sài Gòn (The Tailor), a romantic comedy produced by movie star, director and producer Ngô Thanh Vân.

The 90-minute film, presented in the category “A Window on Asian Cinema”, is about Vietnamese women living in Sài Gòn (now HCM City) in the 1960s.

“Cô Ba Sài Gòn features the culture and lifestyle of Saigonese as well as the history of áo dài (traditional Vietnamese long dress),” said Ngọc, winner of the 2011 Golden Lotus Award for best actress, presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

“The film also highlights Vietnamese women who have triumphed in life and love. I gained new lessons after filming with my older colleagues such as People’s Artist Hồng Vân and Diễm My,” she said.

The 22nd Busan Film Festival, to be held from October 12 to 21, has attracted 98 films from 75 countries. — VNS