Vietnamese film hopes to pull off a global scare

"Thien Than Ho Menh", which will premiere in Vietnam on April 30, will hit giant screens in several countries in the near future, according to its producer TFilm Entertainment. The company said it is working with many film distributors to introduce the movie to global audiences.

The movie's world premiere date has not been revealed.

Vu's latest brainchild depicts the story of a young woman using a mysterious doll and voodoo to become a famous music star. Later, one of her colleagues commits suicide, and she becomes a suspect.

A scene from "Thien Than Ho Menh." Photo courtesy of the movie.

Rated 18+, "Thien Than Ho Menh" delves into the voodoo phenomenon of raising the so-called Kumanthong (Thai ghost doll) to achieve fame and money.

Victor Vu, one of the most popular movie directors in Vietnam, has had many movies do well in international markets. His "Mat Biec" (Dreamy Eye) drama was Vietnam's entry for the qualifying round of the foreign language film category at the Oscar 2021 awards.

His "Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh" (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) was also the country's entry in the same category at the Oscar 2017 awards. This film was among the three winners of the Features Films of 2015 award at the 2nd Silk Road International Film Festival in China.

This month, another Vietnamese film, "Bo Gia" (The Father), will also hit international screens. "Bo Gia" directed by Tran Thanh and Vu Ngoc Dang, has raked in VND400 billion ($17.4 million) after premiering on March 5 to become the highest-grossing Vietnamese movie ever.