Behind the martial arts scenes in "pursuing ambergris". Video: Film crew provided

Under pressure for his first venture into martial arts films, Quang Tuan dedicated months to training with the stunt team before filming began. They guided him through various combat moves. The actor initially struggled with leg movements but eventually found his rhythm. He endured several injuries on set; his finger has not fully healed after a co-star used an iron bar in one scene. In another scene, Quang Tuan sprained his ankle jumping onto a three-wheeled cart. The film crew immediately paused filming and called medical personnel for first aid.

During one sequence, Quang Tuan had to hang high to deliver a blow. While rehearsing, he believed it was merely symbolic staging and a stunt double would perform it. "When the director said I had to do it myself, I was scared and refused, but the team's encouragement was sincere. In the end, I took a risk and succeeded," he said.

Quang Tuan (left) receives instruction on martial arts moves from the action director. Photo: Muoi Muoi

Director Duong Minh Chien stated that one of the most challenging segments was the major battle in the fishing village, involving hundreds of background actors. Local residents offered their support, bringing gifts from their hometown, which deeply moved the crew, making their "feeling of fatigue disappear."

Behind the fighting scene in the fishing village. Video: Film crew provided

"Pursuing ambergris" currently tops the box office this week, having grossed 125 billion VND after 10 days in cinemas. The film centers on life in a central Vietnamese fishing village in the early 2000s. Here, fishermen take turns guarding ambergris, a revered treasure worshipped for hundreds of years and valued at billions of VND. One night, the sacred item is stolen. Two young men from the village, Tam (Quang Tuan) and Hoang (Hoang Toc Dai), travel south to find Tam's younger brother Tuan (Ma Ran Do), the suspected thief, thereby becoming entangled in a conflict with a gang.

The movie features a simple story, divided into three acts. The first 15 minutes introduce the main characters and their circumstances. As the incident unfolds, the film's pace gradually increases, drawing Tam and Hoang into perilous situations within the "underworld."

The film's humor primarily stems from its entertaining fight scenes. Most of the characters' combat moves are confrontational but staged with a comedic flair rather than focusing on destructive capability. Characters utilize surrounding objects as weapons, with flexible and varied techniques. Many exaggerated comedic situations are reminiscent of classic scenes from Stephen Chow and Jackie Chan films of the 1990s and 2000s.

Trailer "pursuing ambergris" - rated 16+. Video: Film crew provided

Director Duong Minh Chien is the founder of the Action C filmmaking group, specializing in producing short action films. He has participated in numerous high-grossing projects in various roles, including stunt double for Truong Giang in "Lat mat 1", action coordinator for "Lat mat 2, 3, 4", and martial arts director for the "Hung Long Phong Ba" series.

Mai Nhat