Thousands of fans braved heavy rain to greet the cast of the film 'Red Rain' at an event on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) on the evening of 23/11/2024. Actors Do Nhat Hoang and Hua Vi Van, along with the film crew, expressed their emotion at the enthusiastic turnout, which was part of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival.

The event, which brought together several film crews that have made a mark recently, saw a large number of young people remain despite the rain starting at 20h30, just as the 'Red Rain' cast began their segment. As the MC announced each actor's name, the audience cheered, calling out character names from the film, such as soldier Cuong, nurse Hong, and squad leader Ta.

Audience waits in the rain to meet the 'Red Rain' film crew. Photo: Mai Nhat

The cast conveyed their gratitude for the public's continued affection for the film, even though its theatrical run concluded in late September 2024. Ha Anh, who played Hong, shared that the most significant change for her after participating in the film was receiving love from audiences of all ages and from everywhere. Phuong Nam, who portrayed Ta, noted that during film tours, he clearly felt the public's strong interest in 'Red Rain', observing them cry and laugh with the film's details, and inviting friends and family to watch it a second and third time. "To this day, for me and the entire film crew, everything still feels like a happy dream," he said.

The critically acclaimed film, penned by author Chu Lai, is set in 1972. It depicts the period when the Liberation Army of Southern Vietnam had fully captured Quang Tri province, a temporary demarcation line dividing the North and South. After losing a strategic base and facing the potential loss of Thua Thien province, the United States supplied additional weaponry to the Republic of Vietnam Army for a counterattack to retake Quang Tri, specifically the ancient citadel area, aiming to force a favorable agreement.

The production of 'Red Rain' involved elaborate investment from its pre-production phase, featuring grand settings and numerous large-scale battle scenes. While the producer did not disclose the exact investment figure, experts estimated the film's budget to be hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong. The crew constructed a 50-hectare set along the Thach Han river. During filming, modern machinery and lighting systems were utilized, with the director of photography employing up to seven cameras for many scenes.

During its one-month theatrical release, 'Red Rain' attracted over 8.1 million viewers, becoming the highest-grossing film in domestic box office history. In its final days, the film maintained about 8 to 10 screenings in major cinemas, with all tickets sold out. By 28/9/2024, 'Red Rain' had earned 710 billion VND, solidifying its status as the most successful Vietnamese film. On 21/11/2024, the film was included in the list of 86 feature films eligible to compete for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars.

This interaction event was part of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival, which returned to Ho Chi Minh City after ten years. The festival's opening ceremony took place on the evening of 21/11/2024 at the outdoor grounds of the Independence Palace (Dinh Doc Lap) conference hall. Over the five-day festival, audiences enjoyed many free film screenings at three major cinema complexes, with 'Red Rain' kicking off the program. The festival concluded with a closing ceremony on the evening of 25/11/2024 at the Military Theater (Nha hat Quan Doi), TP HCM.

Mai Nhat