The film, which revolves around a 1978 hijacking in Vietnam, premiered to the media on 16/9 in Ho Chi Minh City. When asked about concerns regarding box office revenue, especially following the release of “Red Rain”, the producers stated their film has a different tone than the current box office hit.

According to a representative, “Airborne Showdown” is an entertainment film focused on a smaller-scale incident, unlike “Red Rain”, a war film revolving around a major historical event. “We aren't pressured because we have faith in our hundreds of crew members, the cast’s abilities, and director Ham Tran’s vision,” said Nguyen Quoc Cong, a representative of Galaxy Group.

At the early screening, the film received praise for its dramatic, suspenseful storyline. However, some expressed concerns about the violent and bloody scenes, such as the hijackers torturing the flight attendants and passengers. The producers confirmed the film is rated 16+ (not suitable for viewers under 16).

“The age rating was carefully considered by the Cinema Department's assessment board, based on various factors such as the level of violence, language, horror elements, themes, and the film's message. The 16+ rating ensures viewers are mature enough to handle the content while still allowing the film to reach a wide audience,” said a representative.

Thai Hoa plays one of the antagonists in “Airborne Showdown”. Photo: Thanh Huyen

The film centers on a hijacking led by Long (Thai Hoa), along with his accomplices Ti (Vo Dien Gia Huy), Suu (Bao Dinh), and Dan (Ray Nguyen). To hijack a civilian aircraft and escape overseas, they take the passengers and crew hostage. A flight crew of almost 10, including two flight attendants (Kaity Nguyen and Tram Anh), must fight back against the criminals and ensure the passengers’ safety throughout the flight.

The script is inspired by the 1978 hijacking of Vietnam Civil Aviation’s DC4, flight number 501, en route from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. At the premiere, two witnesses of the actual event, Pham Trung Nam (the captain) and Ngo Kim Thanh (a flight attendant), were moved to tears. They praised the film's realism and how several scenes evoked memories of the incident.

Thai Hoa said he immediately accepted the role when the director sent him the script because Long was the type of character he'd been waiting for. He enjoys playing villainous roles that audiences love to hate, a type of character he feels is missing from his career.

According to a representative, the hijacking theme, while captivating, presented a significant challenge. The film aims to transport viewers back to the post-1975 era, when security measures were rudimentary, and flights carried inherent risks. The team meticulously reconstructed the aircraft's interior, from the control panel and seats to the cabin and the film’s color tone, to recreate the atmosphere of the time. The project is a collaboration between the People's Police Cinema and Galaxy Group.

Mai Nhat