Latest news with #ThreeSeasons
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Timothy Linh Bui's Vietnamese Vampire Thriller ‘Daydreamers', Starring Chi Pu, Getting U.S. Release
EXCLUSIVE: Vietnamese vampire thriller Daydreamers is getting a U.S. release via Dark Star Pictures, which has set a limited theatrical run from May 2nd and a digital launch from June 3rd. From producer-director Timothy Linh Bui (Three Seasons), the film is set 400 years ago, reimagining vampire lore in Southeast Asia. As European vampires faced extinction, they fled to Vietnam – then known as Annam – bringing with them the dark curse. The film introduces a dark supernatural world set in modern-day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. More from Deadline Producer Scott Rudin, Once Banished, Now Contrite, Plans A Big Broadway Comeback 'Mid-Century Modern' Team Talks Linda Lavin's "Devastating" Death, 'Golden Girls' Comparisons & 'Will & Grace' Crossover Potential Landmark Elevates Kevin Holloway To CEO, Will Upgrade Three Theaters In First News Since Foreclosure Auction Cast includes Vietnamese superstar Chi Pu, the singer and actress with more than 20 million followers who became a local sensation after her performance in the hit Chinese reality series Sisters Who Make Waves. She's joined by rising actors Trinh Thao, Thuan Nguyen, and Tran Ngoc Vang. The movie was nominated for six awards at the Vietnamese 2025 Ngoi Sao Xanh (New Face of the Year) Awards and won Best Director, Best New Talent and Best Production Design. The expanded synopsis reads: 'Daydreamers follows Nhat, a young vampire raised in a secluded river community that suppresses its thirst for human blood in hopes of regaining lost humanity. When his long-lost brother Marco returns with stories of vampires thriving in the big city amongst humans, Nhat is drawn into a dangerous world that tests his loyalty, beliefs, and survival. His fate takes a turn when he meets Ha, a rebellious schoolgirl who uncovers his secret—forcing Nhat to break vampire law in an act of forbidden protection. As Trieu, a ruthless vampire queen, orders their execution, the city erupts into chaos, setting the stage for a final battle between brothers—one embracing the monster within, the other fighting to hold onto his last shred of humanity.' The film is one of the first vampire films to emerge from Vietnam, and the U.S. theatrical release will be targeted at cities with large Vietnamese diaspora audiences. Vietnamese-born American filmmaker Timothy Linh Bui produced The Housemaid in 2016 which was released by IFC Films and distributed in 25 countries, and has a remake in the works written by Oscar winner Geoffery Fletcher. He and his brother Tony previously made Three Seasons which won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at Sundance, and Patrick Swayze film Green Dragon, winner of the Humanitas Prize. In 2013, he co-founded the movie production company Happy Canvas Film in the U.S. In 2016, he moved Happy Canvas Film to Vietnam to develop the film industry in the country, and it went on to make projects including The Bachelor: Vietnam. 'I wanted to tell a story about people who live within the shadows of a modern city,' stated director Bui. 'I was inspired by the Vietnamese riverboat communities, who have been there for decades and are overlooked by those around them. As the ultimate outsiders, vampires are the perfect vehicle to explore that world. They exist in secrecy, live on the margins, and are defined by their need to remain hidden.' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery '1923' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
South China Morning Post
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The directors reshaping Asian cinema, from Jia Zhangke to Ray Yeung
Explore the compelling stories of five visionary Asian directors who have been featured in PostMag over the past year. From Jia Zhangke's portrayal of China's economic rise and Ray Yeung's authentic LGBTQ narratives, to Tzang Merwyn Tong's dystopian tales, Tony Bui's exploration of Vietnam's iconic 'napalm girl', and Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir's story of modern Ulaanbaatar, delve into their groundbreaking works. 1. Director Jia Zhangke's Caught by the Tides chronicles China's economic rise Jia's latest film encapsulates China's profound transformation through a unique blend of new and unused footage spanning over 20 years. The film follows a couple navigating societal shifts in Datong and the Three Gorges area in a love story interwoven with China's journey since joining the WTO told in Jia's distinctive storytelling style. 2. Hong Kong director Ray Yeung revolutionises LGBTQ representation in Asian Cinema with films Like Suk Suk and All Shall Be Well As executive director of the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, Yeung champions diverse storytelling and, through his movies, he endeavours to authentically portray LGBTQ experiences. His films, including Suk Suk and All Shall Be Well , explore complex themes of identity, acceptance, and love within the LGBTQ community and here he talks about his filmmaking journey. 3. 'Rebel' Singaporean director Tzang Merwyn Tong heralds 'exciting' times ahead for Southeast Asian cinema Tong discusses renewed interest in his dystopian films, particularly Faeryville , a dystopian tale about bullied college misfits fighting back, ahead of its streaming release. Exploring themes of rebellion and minimalism, Tong champions independent filmmaking and advocates for misfits, influencing discussions on bullying and cinematic artistry. Tony Bui's Three Seasons was the first American film to be made in Vietnam after president Bill Clinton lifted a historic embargo. Photo: Courtesy of Hopper Stone 4. Sundance Film Festival award-winning director Tony Bui talks of his plan to tell the story of Kim Phuc, the 'napalm girl' of the Vietnam war photo Acclaimed Vietnamese-American director reveals his plan to revisit the iconic 1972 Vietnam war photograph of 'napalm girl' in a film that explores the 24 hours after the image was captured. He talks of his journey to uncover the untold story behind the image, from tracking down photographer Nick Ut to securing Kim Phuc's blessing for his film, as well as of the restoration of his Sundance festival hit Three Seasons . 5. Hong Kong film festival prize-winning Mongolian director talks of plans to to make short film about Ulaanbaatar Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, acclaimed for her debut feature City of Wind , is using funds from a Macau film camp to create a new short film, A South Facing Window, exploring modern life and relationships in Ulaanbaatar. This follows the success of her first feature film which departed the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival with both the young jury best film and new talent awards. Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI
