On September 2nd, Red Rain achieved a new box office milestone, becoming one of the fastest-selling Vietnamese films ever. On September 1st alone, the film earned over 55 billion VND, making it the highest-grossing Vietnamese film in a single day, surpassing the record held by Mai (nearly 44 billion VND on 14/2/2024).

Dang Thai Huyen became the first Vietnamese female director to have a film reach the 300 billion VND and 400 billion VND milestones. Previously, this achievement belonged to Thu Trang with The Silver Kiss, which earned 211 billion VND during the Tet At Ty holiday season.

The "Red Rain" film crew meets with the Hanoi audience at the end of August. Photo: Thanh Huyen

The "Red Rain" film crew meets with the Hanoi audience at the end of August. Photo: Thanh Huyen

According to Box Office Vietnam, an independent box office observer, cinemas in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been selling out of Red Rain tickets, creating a frenzy. The film achieved a seat occupancy rate of over 68.33%, which is high compared to other films currently in theaters. Box Office Vietnam predicts that due to the lack of other prominent releases in the near future, Red Rain could surpass Mai (551 billion VND) to become the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time.

Nguyen Hoang Hai, content director of CGV Vietnam, considers Red Rain's record-breaking numbers a dream for other Vietnamese films. "This revenue is well-deserved for the production costs and dedication of the film crew, and it marks a new milestone for Vietnamese cinema," he said.

"What's More Beautiful" - a song inspired by the film "Red Rain," sung and composed by Nguyen Hung. Video: Galaxy Studio

The film delivers quality content and visuals that evoke strong emotions. The script follows the 81-day battle to defend the ancient citadel. Author Chu Lai focuses the narrative on the human element, specifically a small squad of soldiers from three different regions of Vietnam.

The central character, Cuong (played by Do Nhat Hoang), is a Conservatory student, chivalrous and skilled in martial arts. He gives up the opportunity to study abroad to enlist in the army. During the battle in Quang Tri, Cuong fights alongside his squad, which includes Ta (the squad leader), Binh, Tu, Hai, and Sen. They come from different hometowns, with diverse backgrounds and personalities, but share the common goal of fighting for peace.

Lam Thanh Nha plays Binh, an artist who joins the army following the general mobilization order. Photo: Provided by the film crew

Lam Thanh Nha plays Binh, an artist who joins the army following the general mobilization order. Photo: Provided by the film crew

The film boasts elaborate pre-production, with grand sets and numerous battle scenes. The producers haven't disclosed 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 utilized modern equipment and lighting. The director of photography used up to seven cameras for many scenes.

Since the beginning of the year, Vietnamese cinemas have seen a surge of films exceeding 100 billion VND in revenue. Before Red Rain, nine films had reached this milestone: The Guardian Squad (322 billion VND), Detective Kien: The Headless Case (249 billion VND), The Ancestral Home (243 billion VND), Flip Face 8: Sunny Embrace (232 billion VND), The Silver Kiss (212 billion VND), The Tunnel: The Sun in the Shadow (173 billion VND), Taking Mom to Abandon (169 billion VND), and The Incantation (150 billion VND).

Mai Nhat