Two Vietnamese films in the running for Oscars

By Hoang Nguyen December 8, 2022 | 12:24 am PT

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has named two Vietnamese films among works that are eligible for consideration at the upcoming Academy Awards.

The list included 27 animated features, 144 documentary films and international features from 92 countries.

The two Vietnamese films on the list are "'578: Phat Dan Cua Ke Dien" (578: Magnum) and the documentary feature "Nhung Dua Tre Trong Suong" (Children of the Mist).

"578: Magnum," a movie that is heavily packed with action, directed by Luong Dinh Dung, was submitted to the Academy Awards in September.

The movie poster for "578: Magnum". Photo courtesy of Tuvan Pictures

"Children of the Mist," by director Ha Le Diem, is one of the outstanding documentary features in Vietnam this year. The documentary was screened at film festivals in many countries, including the United States, France, Australia, Mexico, Kosovo, Singapore and Cambodia.

There are high hopes for "Children of the Mist" at the Oscars as it has already won Best International Film at the 2022 Docaviv Film Festival in Israel and the Best Directing award for Ha Le Diem at the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in the Netherlands.

While "578: Magnum" is a movie that heavily focuses on action sequences, "Children of the Mist" is a moving documentary about the challenges faced by a young Hmong girl caught between ancient customs and modern values.

The shortlist for the Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature Film of the Oscars will be announced on December 21. The official nomination will be announced on January 24, 2023.

The 95th Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 12, 2023.