The event was organized by the People's Army Cinema, the film's production company. The People's Committee of Quang Tri ward sent invitations to veterans, relatives of fallen soldiers, and local residents. A large projector screen was set up in front of the memorial at the historic site.

The front row was left empty, with only backpacks and white chrysanthemums placed there to commemorate the fallen soldiers. The crew set up 1,500 chairs for the audience, while the remaining viewers stood to watch the film.

Before the screening, the film crew arranged candles to form the number 81, symbolizing the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the citadel. Photo: People's Army Cinema

Before the screening, the film crew arranged candles to form the number 81, symbolizing the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the citadel. Photo: People's Army Cinema

Before the screening, the crew offered incense and paid their respects to the soldiers who died at the citadel. Colonel Kieu Thanh Thuy, the film's production director, said, "Tonight's screening, in our minds, is a reunion, where the fallen soldiers return with their compatriots and comrades to revisit the heroic history they wrote with their blood." The film crew representatives thanked the leaders and people of Quang Tri province for their support during the location scouting, set construction, and filming.

A section of the audience watching the film.

In addition to the citadel, the People's Army Cinema will hold screenings at Rio Cinema Vincom Plaza, Dong Ha (at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. tomorrow) and the provincial cultural center (8 p.m. tomorrow).

The front row at the film screening.

After two weeks in theaters, "Mua do" has broken several records, creating a new box office sensation. As of Tuesday evening, the film's revenue reached 476 billion VND, currently ranking third on the list of highest-grossing films, behind "Mai" (551 billion VND) and "Lat mat 7" (483 billion VND). In major cinema chains in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, almost all screenings are sold out. On social media, many people have said they have seen the film two or three times.

Many experts and viewers predict that "Mua do" will soon surpass the 500 billion VND mark, and may even surpass the revenue of "Mai" to become the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time.

The film's script follows the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the citadel. Writer Chu Lai chose to focus the narrative on the people, specifically a platoon with soldiers from three regions of Vietnam.

The central character, Cuong (played by Do Nhat Hoang), is a Conservatory student who is generous and skilled in martial arts. He gave up the opportunity to study abroad to enlist in the army. During the days of fighting in Quang Tri, Cuong fought alongside his platoon, including Ta (the platoon leader), Binh, Tu, Hai, and Sen. They come from different hometowns, with different backgrounds and personalities, but they share the same goal of fighting for peace.

The film was meticulously crafted from pre-production, with grand sets and many large-scale battle scenes. The producer did not disclose the investment amount, but many estimate the film's budget to be in the hundreds of billions of VND. The crew built a 50-hectare film set on the banks of the Thach Han river. During filming, the crew used modern equipment and lighting. For many scenes, the director of photography used up to seven cameras.

Over the past two years, revolutionary war films have attracted significant attention from audiences, creating a new wave in the domestic film market. First, there was "Dao, Pho va Piano" (2024), directed by Phi Tien Son and commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which earned nearly 21 billion VND and broke even after nearly three months of release. In April, "Dia dao," about the soldiers who fought in Cu Chi, directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, earned 172 billion VND.

Ha Thu

Photos, video: Provided by the film crew