Five Vietnamese films have been selected for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia's most significant cinematic events. Among them, Nguyen Phan Quang Binh's "Spirit Guard of the Valiant" and Le Bao's "Hearing" are featured in "A Window on Asian Cinema," a non-competitive program showcasing Asian works. Nguyen Hoang Diep's "1982" will compete for the Vision-Asia award, while Ham Tran's "Red Thread" premieres in the "Midnight Passion" category. Additionally, Nong Nhat Quang's documentary "Baby Jackfruit Baby Guava" is part of the "Wide Angle: Documentary Showcase."

"Spirit Guard of the Valiant," directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, premiered in Vietnam on the 2/9 holiday. This large-scale production is set against the backdrop of King Dinh Tien Hoang's assassination. Following the king's secret instructions for his burial, valiant warriors are ordered to transport coffins in various directions, aiming to deceive enemies attempting to desecrate the tomb.

The film's strengths primarily lie in its setting and costumes, with the ancient mountains of Ninh Binh depicted to highlight the contrast between vast, majestic nature and the small stature of humans. However, the script has flaws, characters lack depth, and the story is overly convoluted with numerous details. On 31/8, a few days after its release and following audience feedback, the crew introduced a new 135-minute cut, 20 minutes shorter than the initial version.

Tuan Tran (right) and Tran Thien Tu star in "Spirit Guard of the Valiant." *Photo: Film crew provided*

Le Bao's "Hearing" also joins "Spirit Guard of the Valiant" in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" category. This film previously competed at the Locarno Film Festival and revolves around Ninh (artist Quoc Tuan), who installs noise-measuring equipment, lives with his mother, but constantly remembers his ex-wife Ngoc and their two young children.

Director Nguyen Hoang Diep's "1982" is competing for the Vision-Asia award, designated for independent Asian cinematic works. This film marks Nguyen Hoang Diep's return 12 years after "Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere." Its plot follows a female director – played by Do Thi Hai Yen – who faces a creative block after her debut film's success, alongside a personal crisis. Beyond Vision-Asia, the film is eligible to compete in approximately 10 subsidiary categories, including awards from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) and the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).

Another Vietnamese film premiering is director Ham Tran's "Red Thread," selected for the "Midnight Passion" category, dedicated to horror, thriller, and suspense films. With this work, Ham Tran promises to showcase his directorial prowess in the horror genre, following "Hollow" (2014) and the series "The Devil's Eatery" (2025).

Nong Nhat Quang's documentary "Baby Jackfruit Baby Guava" will be screened in the "Wide Angle: Documentary Showcase" program. This work previously participated in the Visions du Reel documentary film festival in Switzerland and received a jury award.

The Busan International Film Festival, first organized in 1996, aims to showcase regional cinematic achievements and foster filmmaker development, presenting awards in approximately 20 categories. The 31st edition will take place from 6-15/10, screening 315 films, including 246 works from 59 countries and territories, and 69 projects from the Community BIFF program. Starting in 2027, the winner of Busan's Best Film award will be eligible for selection to compete for the International Feature Film award at the Oscars.

Last year, the Grand Prize for Best Film at the Busan Film Festival was awarded to Chinese director Zhang Lu's "A Wild Roomer." Shu Qi won Best Director for her debut work, "Girl."

Cat Tien