HCM CITY Two Vietnamese films aimed at youth will be screened as cinemas begin to offer more locally produced movies.    

Teenagers are eagerly awaiting the film Cà Chớn, Anh Đừng Đi!  (Honey, Don’t Go), produced by CBK Entertainment on April 19.   

Directed by Đỗ Cường, the romantic comedy is about a girl who falls in love with a poor painter.

The 90-minute work highlights urban youth who work hard to develop their career. After facing challenges, they finally become successful.

Director Cường used young talents Kiều Trinh and Xuân Phúc, graduates of HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography, to play leading roles.

The film’s teaser on YouTube has attracted nearly 8,600 viewers after a week of its release.  

In an interview with local media before filming, Cường said that romantic comedies had returned. “Cà Chớn, Anh Đừng Đi! is a song in praise of youth and love.”

“I hope young audiences will see themselves after watching the characters in my film,” said Cường, who spent two years on the production.  

Cường’s biggest competitor, Vietnamese-American director Hàm Trần will also release his third film, Thiên Linh Cái (Kuman Thoong), on April 19.

Hàm decided to return to a horror film, his favourite topic, instead of working on comedies as usual.     

“Scary films from Hollywood, South Korea, China and Thailand have earned big profits in ticket sales in Việt Nam. I think Vietnamese youth like horror films because they want to be frightened, or they wouldn’t do it twice,” said Hàm.

Hàm made his mark with the wildly popular Đoạt Hồn (Hollow), a blockbuster in summer 2016 that was instrumental in introducing his brand name to Việt Nam.

His previous film was a kung fu film, starring young rapper Suboi and fashion model Nhung Kate. 

Siêu Trộm (Bitcoin Heist) features the daily life and work of hackers, focusing on a young woman hunted by a female secret agent.

Thiên Linh Cái is based on a true story about a mass murder in Đồng Tháp Province. 

Hàm used a young and attractive cast, including Hoàng Yến Chibi, Quang Tuấn, Thanh Tú and Lâm Thanh Mỹ, to draw young audiences.

Produced by Yeah1CMG and Galaxy M&E, the film’s teaser on YouTube has attracted more than 700,000 viewers.  

Critics and fans hope Thiên Linh Cái will bring a different dimension to the industry dominated by comedies and light fare. — VNS