Vietnamese movies to compete at ASEAN International Film Festival
VOV.VN - Vietnam will send two movies to vie for titles at the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) 2023, with the event scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 2 to August 4.
“Memento Mori: Land” directed by Marcus Manh Cuong Vu and “Dem toi ruc ro” (The brilliant darkness) by Aaron Toronto have duly been selected to compete against 120 others at the festival.
“Memento Mori: Land” premiered in Vietnam in October, 2022, drawing inspiration from the true story of the “Destination of life” book by Vietnamese author Dang Hoang Giang.
The movie tells the story of Van, a young mother who accepts that her cancer is in its final stage. Struggling between reality, memories, and dreams, she finds a way to leave messages for her two young daughters Nguyet and Nga. Along with this, she has a wish of donating her organs for medical services and studies.
“Dem toi ruc ro” (The brilliant darkness) opens at the funeral of a grandfather whose family members believe left them a fortune. But his children find out that their father lost the fortune gambling and the mafia is coming to collect the debt. They must therefore pay by sunrise, or else there will be another funeral.
In 2021 the film won the Best Feature Film at the Golden Kite Awards, whilst also being awarded Best Story and Best Performance (female) awards at the 2022 Santa Fe Film Festival Award in February in New Mexico.
Furthermore, director Hong Anh served as one of the judging panel of the AIFFA 2023. At the last AIFFA, Vietnamese film Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu (The Way Station) by Hong Anh was given three prizes, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director of Photography.
Since 2013 the AIFFA has been organised every two years. It was held virtually in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with this year marking the sixth edition of the festival.
During the latest version, a short film competition for university students with the theme of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will take place for the first time.
AIFFA will present a whole range of film activities from the ASEAN region leading to the highlight of the celebrations where the 2023 award winners will be announced on August 4.