On 29/1, the crew announced that Nina Nutthacha Padovan, 12, will portray a highland girl in the film "Phi Phong: The Blood Demon of the Sacred Forest". In the film's first-look, her character witnesses villagers being attacked by a demonic force. Director Do Quoc Trung has not yet revealed the specific details of Nina's role.
Nina Nutthacha Jessica Padovan, born in 2014, is a British actress of Thai descent. Audiences noticed her when she played the young Puttan in "Love Destiny Part 2". Nina also appeared in "Tee Yod: The Organ-Eating Demon Part 3", a Thai film series that caused a sensation in Thailand with total revenue reaching hundreds of billions of dong. Nina impressed viewers with her ability to embody characters in scenes where she becomes a victim of demonic possession.
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Actress Nina Nutthacha. Photo: Film crew provided |
"Phi Phong" draws inspiration from a legend of the Tay Bac mountains about a mysterious demon. This demon, appearing like an ordinary person, lives among the community but feeds on the blood or life force of villagers to survive. Kieu Minh Tuan takes on the lead role, playing a man with the ability to exorcise evil spirits. He stars alongside Doan Minh Anh, who plays detective Kien. The film also features artists Hanh Thuy and Diep Bao Ngoc, with a planned release during the 30/4 holiday.
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From right: character designs for Minh Anh, Kieu Minh Tuan, Diep Bao Ngoc, Nina in the film. Photo: Film crew provided |
Director Do Quoc Trung, 36, developed his skills in independent filmmaking. He won the Best Southeast Asian Film award at the Chaktomuk Cambodia 2013 short film competition for "Ca Chuoi". He also received the Silver Cup for Best Film and the Pink Heart Cup at YxineFF 2012 for the short film "Truc Nhat Voi Thu Ky", and the Best Film award at the REC Berlin 2014 International Short Film Festival for "Dong Vao, Mo Ra".
Earlier in 1, he debuted his first feature film, "Con Ke Ba Ke", also starring Kieu Minh Tuan. The film centers on Thai, a circus artist, and his son Minh (Hao Khang). After his wife's death in a circus accident, Thai raises his son alone. Minh, traumatized by past events, is often sad and overreacts. Preoccupied with earning money, the father does not realize his son is gradually falling into depression. The film earned 50 billion dong, according to Box Office Vietnam.
Mai Nhat
