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Director’s Profile

Bui Thac Chuyen was born in Hanoi. After graduating from high school in 1985, he spent 4 years studying in the Acting Department of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, and then 2 further years in the Directing Department from 1997.
He began making short films and TV series in 1991, and his 35mm graduation short film, Night Run (2000), earned him the first ever Cannes Film Festival prize win by a Vietnamese film director, in the Cinéfondation in 2000.
His debut feature-length film, Living in Fear (2005), also garnered several national and international prizes.
His next feature, Adrift (2009), was officially selected for Orizzonti at Venice International Film Festival 2009, and won the FIPRESCI Award. The film was also selected at numerous other film festivals, including Toronto, Vancouver, London, and Rotterdam.
In 2002, he established, and has since been running, the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) in Hanoi, and has implemented a number of projects by young filmmakers.

Synopsis

Young Hau moves into her husband Duong′s home, where he treats her with cruel coldness. Hau knows that Duong is, in fact, hopelessly in love with their married neighbor, Nhan. Duong works at sea, coming home only once in a while. He never shows any interest in Hau until, one day, out of despair, she begins to tell inconsequential stories about Nhan and discovers that her husband is suddenly paying attention to her for once. Despite her resentment towards Nhan, Hau tries to learn more about her so that she can continue telling stories to her husband, both as a way of keeping him, and also to hurt him.
Tragedy befalls Nhan when her young daughter drowns. In a moment of grief, her husband, Tam, strikes her, blaming her for their loss. Following this, Tam and Nhan’s house keeps bursting into flames. Following each fire, Nhan, never complaining, silently rebuilds a smaller home. Hau eagerly helps Nhan, and they grow closer. People in the village become very wary of Tam, fearing he may burn down their houses.
Later, there are no longer any fish to catch due to severe ocean pollution, and Duong wants to go and find work in the city. That night, Tam and Nhan’s shack bursts into flame once again. Everyone in the village is indifferent. Only Hau stands staring into the fire. But, unlike before, this time Nhan does not escape.
Hau has no more stories to tell Duong. She no longer has any means of keeping her husband.

Achievements

2022 Tokyo International Film Festival - In Competition
2022 Nantes Three Continents Festival - Golden Montgolfiere
2022 Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival
2023 Goteborg Film Festival
2023 Beijing International Film Festival
2023 Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
2024 Academy Awards - Best International Film Vietnam Nomination
Released in Vietnam

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