HCM CITY — Two Vietnamese comedies produced by private HCM City filmmakers will be released during the Christmas and New Year holidays.  

The 90-minute comedy Hồn Papa Da Con Gái (Daddy Issues) is expected to be a hit and a step forward for the season. 

Its producer, Vietnamese-American Charlie Nguyễn, hired Japanese director Ken Ochiai to helm the film.

To ensure that nothing went wrong, Charlie invited talented comedian Thái Hòa and young star Kaity Nguyễn, winner of the Golden Lotus prize for best actress at the 20th Vietnamese Film Festival in Đà Nẵng last year.

Veteran comic artists Hồng Vân and Thành Lộc are also featured in the film.     

The movie is about Hải (played by Hòa) and Châu (played by Kaity) as father and daughter whose bodies are switched because of a mysterious and magical curse.

Hòa impressed audiences in his previous films, including Long Ruồi (Mr Long) and Tèo Em (Little Tèo), both of which had record box-office runs in 2011 and 2013. 

While Long Ruồi earned more than VNĐ42 billion (US$2 million) in ticket sales, Tèo Em helped its producer bring home nearly VNĐ60 billion (nearly US$3 million).  

For his latest, Hòa worked hard to renew his image on screen.

“I don’t want my fans to feel bored after watching me. I worked with the film’s director to bring something new to my role,” said Hòa, who is called the king of box office by more than 24,700 fans on his fan page.     

The other comedy, Trạng Quỳnh (Dr. Quỳnh), a production by Thiên Phúc Studio, stars famous comedian Trấn Thành.

Actress Nhã Phương, winner of Best Actress at the Cánh Diều Vàng (Golden Kite) Awards by the Việt Nam Cinematography Association this year, is also featured.

The film is based on Vietnamese folk tales about the cunning tricks of Nguyễn Quỳnh, a scholar of Thanh Hóa Province living under the Lê-Trịnh reign between 1696 and 1718. 

Quỳnh was famous for his representation of poor people. He is loved by many Vietnamese generations.

The film is about a journey of Quỳnh to rescue his teacher and two friends, who are part of the lower class in the old feudal society.

“Not only does it bring laughter, but my film also recreates the context of feudalism, oppression and struggle. It brings to light the optimism and desire for justice in society,” said the film’s director Đức Thịnh.

Thịnh’s latest film, Siêu Sao Siêu Ngố (Super Star - Super Silly), a comedy starring Trường Giang, earned more than VNĐ107 billion ($4.58 million) in ticket sales last holiday season.

Both Hồn Papa Da Con Gái and Trạng Quỳnh will be in cinemas in early December to welcome the Christmas and New Year. — VNS