Tet movies pirated, uploaded on TikTok

By Mai Nhat   January 28, 2023 | 05:15 pm PT
Excerpts from Tet releases “Nha Ba Nu” (Nu’s Family) and “Chi Chi Em Em 2” (Sister Sister 2) have been surreptitiously videoed in cinemas and uploaded on TikTok.

The videos released on January 26 include clips showing the controversy between Ngoc Nhi and John, her overseas Vietnamese boyfriend.

A screenshot from pirated clip from Nha Ba Nu on TikTok which shows Ngoc Nhi arguing with her boyfriend.

A screenshot from pirated clip from "Nha Ba Nu" on TikTok which shows Ngoc Nhi arguing with her boyfriend.

"Nha Ba Nu" collected VND150 billion (US$6.36 million) within five days in theaters, the fastest Vietnamese film to reach this milestone, surpassing 2021 Tet movie "Bo Gia" (Dad, I’m Sorry).

On January 22, key excerpts from "Chi Chi Em Em 2" featuring Ngoc Trinh and Minh Hang were also posted illegally on many TikTok accounts.

The clips had been secretly filmed in cinemas, and the videos got hundreds of thousands of hits.

Vu Ngoc Dang, the film’s director, said: "We have fallen victim to TikTokers." According to Box Office Vietnam, an independent entity that analyzes cinema revenue data, "Chi Chi Em Em 2" collected VND37 billion ($1.57 million) at the box office in five days.

Minh Hang in Chi Chi Em Em 2. Photo by Huy Tran

Minh Hang in "Chi Chi Em Em 2". Photo by Huy Tran

Nguyen Hoang Hai, content director of the CJ CGV cinema complex, said he had askedTikTok to delete the videos, and to continue to review the offending accounts.

Producers said it was difficult to estimate the damage. Will Vu, producer of "Chi Chi Em Em 2," said the videos negatively affected the experience of viewers.

"The leaked scenes are all important scenes, in the main line of films. Because the quality is not guaranteed to be as good as watching in cinemas, the audience will definitely consider whether or not to chooseto watch it during the holidays."

In recent years many Vietnamese films have been affected by piracy.

In 2017 "Co Ba Sai Gon" (The Tailor) by Ngo Thanh Van was illegally live-streamed on a Facebook fanpage.

"Kong: Skull Island," the Hollywood blockbuster set 70% in Vietnam, was live-streamed by many people within a few days of its release in the country.

 
 
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