A representative for the production team stated that the actress arrived in Vietnam on 25/4 to participate in a cinetour, a series of promotional events at cinemas. Despite extensive travel, she maintained her energy, continuously interacting and conversing with viewers.
Nina and the cast re-enacted several film segments, including a "demonic possession" scene with Diep Bao Ngoc. She also participated in stage activities such as dancing to popular music and direct interactions, generating excitement. In some screenings, Nina engaged in dance battles with Doan Minh Anh and Diep Bao Ngoc. Many audience members responded enthusiastically to the choreography, surprised by the actress's quick rhythm.
In the film, Nina plays Lua, a character living in the northwestern region, pivotal to the script. On TikTok, behind-the-scenes videos show her performing an exorcism scene, speaking Vietnamese on set, attracting millions of views. Director Ly Minh Thang commented that the child star's performance heightened the film's climax.
Nina expressed her delight at the audience's reception during her first Vietnamese film project. To embody the role, she learned Vietnamese and spent time with the film crew researching the character and local legends. The actress hopes to return to Vietnam for filming soon, especially after the film's ending hinted at a second part.
In 2024-2025, Nina visited TP HCM to promote the horror film Tee Yod parts 2 and 3, gaining attention for her acting and dance performances. Subsequently, the producers of Phi Phong invited her to collaborate. A representative for the film crew expressed admiration for her work ethic, especially given the highland weather conditions and complex shooting locations. Although the team arranged stunt doubles for difficult scenes, Nina insisted on performing them herself to maintain the character's emotional continuity.
Nina's full name is Nina Nutthacha Jessica Padovan, born in 2014. She is a British-Thai actress. She first gained audience attention for her role as young Puttan in the film Nguoc dong thoi gian de yeu anh 2. Having studied singing, dancing, and acting from a young age, Nina is considered a promising talent in the Thai entertainment industry, excelling in horror and spiritual films. Currently, Nina has over one million followers on Instagram.
Directed by Do Quoc Trung, Phi Phong explores a folk legend about a bloodthirsty mountain demon. The plot follows two apprentice sorcerers who embark on a journey to rescue a cursed mother, confronting a series of mysterious deaths in a village. As they search for the truth, they become entangled in suspicions and secrets involving a mother and child bearing the marks of the Phi Phong species.
By Cat Tien
