Inspired by a true story of a hijacked plane in Vietnam in 1978, "Sky Battle" features a cast including Thai Hoa, Kaity Nguyen, Thanh Son, Loi Tran, and Tram Anh. As the first director to bring the topic of air piracy to the Vietnamese screen, Ham Tran discussed the making of the film.

Tran's admiration for Thai Hoa began years ago after watching him in a supporting role in the 2009 film "14 Days of Leave." "I was amazed by his performance," Tran said. He continued to follow Thai Hoa's career through films like "De Mai Tinh" and "Long Ruoi," but "Sky Battle" marked their first collaboration. Tran initially had reservations about casting Thai Hoa as the villain, Long, knowing the actor was selective about his roles. "I was relieved when he agreed," Tran admitted.

Thai Hoa's first question upon meeting Tran was about the director's reputed temper. Tran acknowledged his past impatience, attributing it to his meticulous nature. However, he explained that his approach has evolved. "After Covid-19, I realized that every project will have its challenges," Tran reflected. "If you know how to solve them, you can overcome anything." This realization led him to cultivate a calmer, more harmonious atmosphere on set.

Thai Hoa (left) as Long, the leader of the hijackers, and director Ham Tran. Photo: Provided by the subject

Thai Hoa (left) as Long, the leader of the hijackers, and director Ham Tran. Photo: Provided by the subject

Tran's directorial style involves tailoring his approach to each actor to evoke the necessary emotions for their roles. He offered the example of Bao Dinh, a newcomer playing Long's son, Suu. Tran encouraged Bao Dinh to imagine Suu's upbringing, marked by abuse and a resulting lack of confidence. Tran had been impressed with Bao Dinh since an audition two years prior and finally found the perfect role for him in "Sky Battle."

Working with Thai Hoa was a particularly rewarding experience for Tran. He praised the actor's dedication to exploring the depths of his character. "During rehearsals, he would always suggest different approaches, giving me a range of options," Tran shared. He recalled being awestruck by the intensity in Thai Hoa's eyes during a one-shot scene where Long throws a grenade.

Beyond the individual performances, Tran emphasized the strong bond within the team. Actress Kieu Trinh, who played the mother of a security guard, described the sense of kinship on set. "To make a good film, everyone has to be like a village," Tran remarked. "Here, we were a family."

Director Ham Tran discusses Thai Hoa's powerful performance. Video: Mai Nhat

The film has sparked some debate among viewers. One point of contention is a scene where security guard Binh (Thanh Son) continues fighting after being shot in the chest. Tran explained that the bullet's impact was lessened by passing through two layers of bone urns. He also revealed that a survivor of the actual 1978 hijacking had been shot multiple times and lived. Another debated scene involved the perceived intimacy between a flight attendant and a security guard (played by Tram Anh and Ma Ran Do). Tran clarified that this was inspired by the real-life story of flight attendant Huynh Thu Cuc, who had recently married a fellow aviation professional at the time of the hijacking.

Director Ham Tran directs a scene between Thanh Son (left) and Loi Tran. Photo: Thanh Huyen

Director Ham Tran directs a scene between Thanh Son (left) and Loi Tran. Photo: Thanh Huyen

The film's visual effects presented a significant challenge. The team initially planned for 30 VFX shots involving the plane, but this number eventually doubled. Tran expressed his gratitude to Cyclo, the VFX company, for their work, some of which was completed just before the film's release. Numerous small details required attention due to filming on a green screen set. "Looking back, I am 100% satisfied and grateful to the team," Tran said.

Former Captain Pham Trung Nam, 76, recalls the 1978 hijacking, the inspiration for "Sky Battle". Video: Galaxy Studio

To ensure accuracy, Tran and his writing team spent three months developing the script, constantly consulting with Captain Nam about the plausibility of each scene. They strived to stay connected with the real-life individuals involved, prioritizing authenticity. One regret was the inability to incorporate all the stories they heard, such as the 1979 incident where security guard Nguyen Dac Thoai subdued a group of criminals. "His story was very thrilling, like an action movie," Tran commented.

Balancing the intense scenes with moments of humor was another key consideration. The characters Chuot (Tieu Bao Quoc) and Meo (Thien Tu), an unlikely older man-younger woman couple, provided comic relief. Tran fought to keep these characters despite initial concerns about the film's length. "Without them, the audience would be exhausted," he explained.

Behind the scenes of Thai Hoa playing a terrorist in the film. Video: Provided by the film crew

Recreating the 1970s setting presented a major hurdle. Constructing the plane's cabin, the film's primary location, cost two billion Vietnamese dong and took two months. The 1:1 scale model needed to be historically accurate, with flexibility for filming. It was designed to simulate turbulence. Even the seats had to match the period, requiring the team to source and refurbish original seats. The cockpit also required meticulous reconstruction. The production received support from the Ministry of Public Security and other agencies, gaining access to film at Tan Son Nhat Airport. The opening scenes of the security guards' training were filmed in a real plane. Rach Gia Airport in An Giang was chosen for its vintage aesthetic to represent an older airport.

The airplane cabin model was built to be able to shake. Photo: Provided by the film crew

The airplane cabin model was built to be able to shake. Photo: Provided by the film crew

Having returned to Vietnam from the US 20 years ago to pursue filmmaking, Tran's primary focus is creating high-quality work. He hopes "Sky Battle" will be his first box office hit in Vietnam. Like Thai Hoa, he aspires to a lasting career in film and is still searching for that defining masterpiece.

Trailer for "Sky Battle" - rated 16+. Video: Provided by the film crew

Ham Tran, 51, whose full name is Tran Quang Ham, moved to the US as a child. He studied directing, film production, and screenwriting. He began his career as a film editor, working on films like "Bay Rong," "De Mai Tinh," "Khat Vong Thang Long," and "Long Ruoi." He gained recognition for his work in horror, thriller, and romance genres with films like "Doat Hon," "Sieu Trom," "Ban Gai Toi La Sep," and "Am Muu Giay Got Nhon." Earlier this year, his series "The Devil's Diner" garnered attention on Netflix.

Mai Nhat