On the morning of 17/5, producer Hoang Quan, a representative of the crew, announced they had received nearly 1,200 applications for the role of Vo Thi Sau. The film crew emphasized that suitability in appearance and age are the most important criteria, without prioritizing box office star power.

"The actress playing Vo Thi Sau needs to possess fierce determination in her eyes, an innocent demeanor, and be able to portray her journey from childhood to adulthood on the path of revolutionary activities," Hoang Quan said. The film crew plans to cast two actresses to play Vo Thi Sau at two different stages of her life.

Regarding the music, in addition to the famous song "Biet On Chi Vo Thi Sau" (Thankful to Sister Vo Thi Sau) by musician Nguyen Duc Toan, the crew intends to use many songs appealing to young audiences. The film crew also extended an invitation to artist Thanh Thuy, who previously played Vo Thi Sau in the 1990s, to participate in the project, but her specific role has not been revealed.

The film crew is also casting several supporting roles, including Vo Thi Sau's comrades and friends: Hai, a prisoner who escaped from Con Dao; Lan, a close friend; and Chi, a young woman in the Assault Police Team (Doi cong an xung phong) with a tragic past. The project is scheduled to begin filming in Q3 this year and will be released in 2027, marking the 75th anniversary of hero Vo Thi Sau's death (1952-2027).

The film, a drama and action piece directed by "Hai Phuong" Le Van Kiet, took seven years to complete its script. It focuses partly on Vo Thi Sau's simple childhood and her years in the Long My war zone and Ba Ria base area, where children faced early challenges of the era. The narrative also delves into Vo Thi Sau's story of becoming a member of the Dat Do Assault Police Team (Doi cong an xung phong). The prison setting is recreated through the suffocating spaces of "tiger cages" and "cow sheds". Le Van Kiet stated his approach to cinematic language is a realistic perspective "while maintaining personal emotional depth."

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 (Doi cong an quan) as a scout, carrying out missions to "destroy puppet forces and eliminate traitors." In 1948-1949, she participated in many attacks, such as throwing grenades at a rally in Dat Do market and eliminating Cai Tong Tong. Some documents suggest she was arrested in February 1950, after she and her comrades used grenades to attack the Canh Dan Tet market. Despite being brutally tortured for one month at Dat Do prison, and then transferred to Chi Hoa detention center, she did not confess. In 1951, she was sentenced to death by the French colonialists and sent to Con Dao, where she was executed on the morning of 23/1/1952.

Portrait of hero Vo Thi Sau restored in 2025 by the artist group "Vietnamese Soldier's Heart". Photo: Organizer provided

Numerous artworks have been inspired by the life of hero Vo Thi Sau. Her image was featured in the song "Biet On Chi Vo Thi Sau" by musician Nguyen Duc Toan in 1958. In 1995, Ho Chi Minh City Television Film Studio (Hang phim truyen hinh TP HCM) released the film "Nhu Mot Huyen Thoai" (Like a Legend), recreating her life. The film "Nguoi Con Gai Dat Do" (The Girl from Dat Do) by director Le Dan also drew inspiration from hero Vo Thi Sau, with artist Thanh Thuy playing the main role.

Mai Nhat