Vietnamese artists wear masks to the premiere of Bí Mật Của Gió (Secrets of the Wind). — Photo courtesy of BHD

HÀ NỘI — After premiering in HCM City and Hà Nội, the film Bí Mật Của Gió (Secrets of the Wind) by director Nguyễn Phan Quang Bình has announced further screenings will be delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The delay was announced by producer Ngô Thị Bích Hạnh from BHD Company, the distributor of the film, during the premiere in Hà Nội.

Coronavirus has infected eight people in Việt Nam so far. People are therefore advised against going to crowded places.

The film was due to be released on January 31, or the 7th day of the Lunar New Year.

It is the first Vietnamese film to be affected by the spread of the respiratory disease.

“The official release schedule has not yet been specified and will be announced later depending on the situation,” the film’s producer said.

However, in order not to disappoint audiences, BHD Company held previews of the film in several cinemas nationwide at the weekend.

BHD cinemas have also prepared masks and hand sanitisers for filmgoers.

The lead actress in Secrets of the Wind, Khả Ngân, wore a facemask to both film premieres, saying that it was to protect herself as well as others.

Another film considering a delay is Sắc Đẹp Dối Trá (The Drama Queen) that stars Miss Queen International 2018 Hương Giang, Kim Xuân and Hữu Châu.

“The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on February 14, but the producers are considering the situation. If the virus continues to be a problem, there will be a change in its release date,” said Huy Trần, the film’s media representative.

The recommendation to wear masks in public is being promoted by many Vietnamese artists who have posted useful information.

Empty cinemas

According to Huyền Trang, the representative of Galaxy Cinemas, the number of cinemagoers decreased 20 per cent this Tết (Lunar) New Year due to the fear of coronavirus.

There were no blockbusters, making it harder to attract audiences, she added.

Vũ Thị Bích Liên, the general director of Mega GS Cinemas, also revealed that there was a 50 per cent decrease in the number of tickets sold.

“On ordinary days, our cinemas sell up to 5,000 tickets but during the outbreak of the virus, we could only sell 2,000 at most,” she said.

Theatres closed

Two theatres Phú Nhuận and Chợ Lớn will be temporarily closed even though the early months of the year are normally their most popular period, according to artist Hồng Vân, the manager of the two theatres.

“Acting on stage and seeing my audience wearing masks, I could not hold back my tears. I will temporarily close my theatres from February 2-14, joining the efforts to overcome the pandemic. Closing the two stages is not a small issue but there was no other choice. Ten days is the expected number, and depending on the situation, I will make further changes,” she said in an interview with Thanh Niên Newspaper. — VNS