On the evening of 5/2, director Tran Thanh introduced the main plot of his latest work, "Tho Oi". The film centers on Hai Linh (LyLy), a famous MC known for her talk show "Chi Bo Vai", and her sister Hai Lan (Van Mai Huong). Both women appear to lead dream lives, enjoying successful careers and harmonious marriages.

The tragedy unfolds when a young woman wearing a rabbit mask, Nhat Ha (Phao), appears on Hai Linh's talk show. Nhat Ha confesses to dating a married man, leading to a dramatic escalation as Hai Linh begins to suspect that the man Nhat Ha is referring to could be her own husband, The Phong (Vinh Dam), an elegant businessman. Simultaneously, Hai Lan's relationship with Ngoc Son (Quoc Anh) also faces challenges, crumbling due to the involvement of a third party. Tran Thanh takes on a supporting role as Nhat Ha's ex-boyfriend, who attempts to reconcile their past relationship.

LyLy - one of the two female leads in the film "Tho Oi" - on the poster. Photo: Thanh Huyen

Tran Thanh stated that for each Tet season, he explores a new theme featuring distinct character groups. For "Tho Oi", the script focuses on successful women who encounter emotional struggles. The director chose the rabbit as the central symbol because, in his view, a rabbit's burrow is complex like a maze, evoking a sense of danger and easy disorientation, which mirrors the main characters' entangled stories.

When the project was announced earlier this year, "Tho Oi" sparked controversy due to its cast primarily consisting of singers and TikTokers, many of whom lack extensive film acting experience. The director explained that despite the inherent risk, he selected these individuals based on their suitability for the roles. Tran Thanh expressed his preference for recruiting new talent to offer young people opportunities, rather than relying solely on seasoned actors. Following the casting, he organized skill training sessions to further develop their potential.

Regarding LyLy, Tran Thanh initially perceived her as safe, reserved, somewhat passive, and lacking distinctive qualities. However, through their collaboration, he realized she possessed abundant energy that she hadn't had the chance to express due to her introverted and private nature. Similarly, concerning Phao, he noted that while many perceive her as rebellious, few recognize the deep affection, gentleness, and vulnerability within the rapper.

Tran Thanh, whose full name is Huynh Tran Thanh, is a 39-year-old actor, host, and filmmaker. In 2021, he gained significant acclaim with his debut feature film "Bo Gia", which won numerous domestic awards, including the Golden Lotus and Golden Kite. In 2023, he released "Nha Ba Nu", his first self-directed work, which became the highest-grossing domestic film at the box office at that time. In early 2024, his film "Mai" became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film, earning over 520 billion VND, until its record was broken by "Mua Do" (directed by Dang Thai Huyen). During the Tet At Ty holiday, "Bo Tu Bao Thu" grossed over 300 billion VND, making it one of the year's highest-earning Vietnamese films.

The Tet Binh Ngo box office race is heating up with four films participating. Besides "Tho Oi", "Mui Pho" is one of the unknowns, marking the first collaboration between artist Xuan Hinh and actress Thu Trang. "Bau Vat Troi Cho" (directed by Le Thanh Son), starring Tuan Tran and Phuong Anh Dao, tells the story of a single mother in a central Vietnamese fishing village. "Nha Ba Toi Mot Phong" recounts a father raising his child alone by making fish sauce, directed by and starring Truong Giang.

Mai Nhat