HÀ NỘI — The South Korea-based ASEAN Culture House (ACH) will hold a film festival showing films from ASEAN countries including Vietnamese movie Hai Phượng (Furie). 

Actress Ngô Thanh Vân films in Furie. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

Entitled 'ASEAN Cinema Week - ASEAN Cinema NOW!' the festival will open today in Seoul to celebrate the ASEAN - Korea Commemorative Summit from November 25-26 in Korea. 

"It is my sincere hope that we will come to better understand the diversity of ASEAN culture by way of films that we may not have had access to previously," said the Korea Foundation President Lee Geun.

The opening film will be Friend Zone, from Thailand — the Chair of ASEAN for 2019. Directed by Chayanop Boonprakob in 2019, the romantic and comedy is about the border separating friends from lovers. 

The opening ceremony will be held at CGV Myeongdong Station Cine Library with a presentation from director Chayanop and lead actor Naphat Siangsomboon.

The ceremony will feature a celebratory performance by acapella group Maytree and a preview of highlights of all films to be screened.

The films such as Việt Nam's Furie; Lao's The Long Walk, Malaysia's Upin & Ipin: KerisSiamang Tunggal and the Philippines' Alone/Together were all released in 2019. 

Directed by Lê Văn Kiệt, Furie is an action film featuring Ngô Thanh Vân (Veronica Ngô). It is a story of a mother's 14-hour journey in pursuit of her daughter's kidnappers.

This moving tale highlights maternal love and the resilient human spirit showcasing the unique characteristics of Vietnamese culture. 

The film was a Vietnamese representative to attend the 92nd annual Academy Awards. It is also the last film by Vân who is regarded as one of few Vietnamese actresses to enter into the Vietnamese action movie genre. She also appeared in the blockbuster Star Wars - The Last Jedi in 2017.

"Veronica Ngô is also popular," said Choi Da Hye, senior programme officer of ACH. "This film Furie is in Netflix as well and so there are many fans now."

The Malaysian film is the only animation at the festival. The 100-minute film features twin brothers Upin and Ipin and their friends stumbling into a fantastical kingdom.

As they try to find their way back home, they must restore the kingdom to its former glory.

The festival will tour in Busan, Jeju and Gwangju until December 13. 

Guest artists including Brunei director Harlif Mohamad; Malaysian Nik Ahmad Rasyidi Bin Nik Othman and Mohamad Zaki Bin Ishak; Veronica Ngo and Myanmar's Na Gyi will attend the opening ceremony in Seoul and Busan. 

Participants at the opening ceremony will be Lee Geun; Oh Seok Geun, Chairman of the Korean Film Council and the ambassadors of the ASEAN countries. — VNS