On 27/6, the crew announced a new casting round to select actresses aged 13-19. Applicants are required to submit self-introduction videos by the end of june, followed by in-person auditions in TP HCM if selected.

Producer Hoang Quan stated that about 1,200 young people had submitted applications during the previous period. The crew extended the casting period, hoping to discover potential talents.

Actresses Khanh Ly, To Tieu Quyen, Mona Bao Tien participated in the Dat Do film casting round, late may. *Video: Film crew provided*

According to the production unit, the chosen actress must meet specific criteria for appearance and demeanor, fitting the spirit of national hero Vo Thi Sau. "Our challenge is to find an actress who can help audiences feel the essence of Miss Sau, from her simple beauty to her steadfast gaze, conveying the story of a young woman maturing in unique historical circumstances. This is a significant pressure because the image of Miss Sau has become etched in the memories of many generations of viewers," Hoang Quan said.

In the initial casting round, several audition videos from Gen Z talents, including Khanh Ly, Lam Thanh My, and Khazsak, garnered hundreds of thousands to millions of views on TikTok and Facebook. They were asked to perform excerpts, such as a scene where Vo Thi Sau visits her mother at home or confides in Lan, a childhood friend. In the next round, director Le Van Kiet, who oversees the project, will conduct direct evaluations. Filming is expected to begin late this year.

Actress Ngan Chi (from the films "Bo Gia", "Nha Ba Nu") expressed pride in auditioning for national hero Vo Thi Sau. *Video: Film crew provided*

The film crew is casting two actresses to portray the protagonist at two stages of her life: childhood and adulthood. Additionally, there are supporting roles such as Hai, a prison escapee from Con Dao; Lan, Sau's close friend; and Chi, a young woman in the Volunteer Police Squad. The film aims to commemorate the 75th anniversary of national hero Vo Thi Sau's death (1952-2027).

According to Nguyen Cao Tung, co-producer of the project, another challenge for the Dat Do film crew is the lack of suitable film sets. Key scenes in the film include the village where Miss Sau was born, Dat Do market, Minh Dam war zone, and Con Dao prison. As the prison is now a historical relic, explosion scenes cannot be filmed there, requiring the crew to reconstruct the setting elsewhere in Ba Ria - Vung Tau (formerly).

The work, a drama and action film, took the crew seven years to complete the script. The film focuses partly on Vo Thi Sau's childhood, her years in the Long My war zone, and the Ba Ria base area. It also delves into the story of Miss Sau becoming a member of the Dat Do Volunteer Police Squad.

People's Artist Dao Ba Son is among the judges selecting actors for the film "Dat Do". *Photo: Production Q*

Martyr Vo Thi Sau was born in 1933 in Dat Do district (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau). At 14 years old, she joined the district police team, working as a scout and performing missions to dismantle puppet regimes and eliminate traitors. In 1948-1949, she participated in many attacks, such as throwing grenades at a rally in Dat Do market and assassinating Cai tong Tong. Some documents indicate she was arrested in 2/1950 after an attack with comrades using grenades at the Canh Dan Lunar New Year market. Despite being brutally tortured for one month at Dat Do prison, then transferred to Chi Hoa prison, she refused to make any declarations. In 1951, the French colonialists sentenced her to death and sent her to Con Dao, where she sacrificed her life on the morning of 23/1/1952.

Photos of national hero Vo Thi Sau in her youth (left) and a portrait restored in 2025 by the artist group "Vietnamese Soldier's Heart". *Photo: Organizing committee provided*

Many artworks have been inspired by the life of national hero Vo Thi Sau. Her image was featured in the song "Grateful to Sister Vo Thi Sau" by musician Nguyen Duc Toan in 1958. In 1995, TP HCM Television Film Studio screened the film "Like a Legend", which recounted her life. The film "The Girl from Dat Do" by director Le Dan was also inspired by national hero Vo Thi Sau, with artist Thanh Thuy in the lead role.

Mai Nhat