Van Son drew attention at the Ho Chi Minh City premiere, marking his return to the film industry after a long absence. The actor shared that he accepted director Phan Gia Nhat Linh's invitation due to his appreciation for the original Japanese script, "One Cut of the Dead". A few years prior, he coincidentally watched the film on a flight and was captivated by its exploration of behind-the-scenes film production and its inspiring message for young people to pursue their passions.

His reunion with producer Charlie Nguyen also motivated his return. Having known Charlie Nguyen since childhood, Van Son witnessed his colleague's career journey, transitioning from a computer science student to a filmmaker who gradually gained recognition. He admired the Vietnamese-American director for building his film career in Vietnam throughout the 2000s-2010s.

"I am very selective about roles, often declining if the script isn't suitable, the character isn't compelling, or I don't know the director. This project gave me a feeling of closeness and harmony; the cast members treated each other like family," Van Son said.

From right: Van Son, Lam Thanh My, Charlie Nguyen in a scene. Photo: Film crew provided

His biggest challenge was the acting itself. Accustomed to improvisational stage comedy, Van Son was asked by the director to convey natural emotions and explore the character's psychological depth on screen. The actor also worried about his physical endurance after a long hiatus, especially compared to younger actors like Miu Le, Lien Binh Phat, and Lam Thanh My. "I also feared whether audiences would embrace my participation in this film as expected," he added.

Artist Van Son at 65. Photo: Character provided

Van Son plays the lead role of Tam OK, a director labeled as a "trash film specialist." Due to his continuous release of low-quality products, his daughter (Lam Thanh My) resents him, and colleagues mock him. He resolves to make a career-defining film to make his daughter proud. However, the project assigned to Tam is a 35-minute zombie horror film, shot in one continuous take and livestreamed. Many chaotic and amusing situations unfold on the film set.

Van Son, whose real name is Duong Thanh Son, began his career in 1977 when he joined the Huong mien Nam singing and dancing troupe. A few years later, he went solo, becoming a stand-up comedian. For a period, he joined Bao Quoc's group, replacing Duy Phuong and performing at venues in Saigon.

In the 1990s, after moving to the US, he and Bao Liem became popular comedians within the Vietnamese community in California. He dubbed works by Stephen Chow and various TVB series. Subsequently, he established an entertainment center, collaborating with artist Hoai Linh, and created a buzz with many skits on overseas stages. In the 2000s, Van Son returned to Vietnam to perform comedy, participate in game shows, and serve as a judge for programs like "Nguoi bi an" and "Nguoi hat tinh ca". In late 2015, Van Son founded the V Show theater in Ho Chi Minh City, with a capacity of about 400-500 audience members, which ceased operations some time later.

"Dai tiec trang mau 8" features a cast including artists Duc Khue Hong Anh, Hua Vi Van, Le Khanh, Lien Binh Phat, and Miu Le. The script is a remake of "One Cut of the Dead", which was a sensation in Japan in 2018, grossing over USD 30 million on a budget of only USD 25,000. One of the film's unique aspects is its one-shot opening scene, lasting over 30 minutes.

Director Phan Gia Nhat Linh mentioned that when he first watched the Japanese version in theaters, he initially lacked patience due to the slow beginning and almost left. After the first third of the film, it became more engaging with many surprising twists. When remaking the film with Charlie Nguyen, he largely retained the storytelling structure, adding characters and details more suited to the local context, such as Tuan Khai as a shaman and Kim Kang Woo as a Korean film producer. The film is scheduled for release during the Hung Vuong Ancestral Commemoration Day holiday, competing with films like "Anh Hung", "Phi phong", "Heo nam mong", and "Trum So".

Mai Nhat