The Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) will present two screenings of the Vietnamese award-winning documentary Chuyến Đi Cuối Cùng Của Chị Phụng (The Last Journey of Madam Phụng).

The 84-minute documentary is a production by independent filmmaker Nguyễn Thị Thắm, who wrote, directed and shot the film. Thắm spent a year following madam Phụng and her art troupe consisting of transgenders to remote provincial fairgrounds. The documentary exposes the hard life of transgender entertainers, who have to bear discrimination, especially in rural areas, despite rapid changes in societal attitudes toward LGBT issues over the last several years.

The documentary has been presented at several film festivals in the US, France, Canada, and Việt Nam. It won the special award at the second Chopshots – Documentary Film Festival Southeast Asia in 2014.

The screenings will take place on Saturday and Sunday, at 7pm. The film will be presented in the original Vietnamese language with English subtitles. Tickets cost VNĐ40,000 at the door.

The TPD is on fourth floor, 51 Trần Hưng Đạo Street.

On August 26, Indika Saigon will host “Party with Pride” on August 26 to celebrate Pride Month in Việt Nam.

The event, which celebrates and supports the Sài Gòn LGBT community, will feature a live music performance by New York-based duo Adrienne Mack-David and feliciacruz.

The duo has toured the US and now lives in HCM City. They have performed at more than 10 Pride events worldwide.

The party will take place from 5 pm to 11 pm at 43 Nguyễn Văn Giai Street in District 1. Entrance fee is VNĐ100,000.

— VNS