“Dat Rung Phuong Nam,” also known as “Song of the South,” is a film adaptation of the 1957 novel by Vietnamese author Doan Gioi. The storyline follows the exciting journey of a young boy named An during the French colonial era in the southern region of Vietnam after 1945.
In the narrative, An’s mother tragically passes away during a violent assault, leaving the young boy without a home and causing him to embark on a journey through the Mekong Delta. Along the way, he relies on the compassion and generosity of local residents as he strives to reconnect with his estranged father.
Director Nguyen Quang Dung’s highly anticipated 2023 film adaptation of the novel comes as a follow-up to the hugely successful television adaptation, Dat Phuong Nam, which premiered 26 years ago.
Nguyen Vinh Son, who directed the critically acclaimed 1997 TV series, has joined our team as the esteemed movie advisor.
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| A floating market in Mekong Delta region featured in ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam’ |
During a recent press event, the film crew expressed their optimism that the movie’s captivating narrative and beautiful portrayal of the Mekong Delta’s landscape, people, and culture will captivate viewers.
According to Dung, the filmmaker, his movie was inspired by the novel. While the film adaptation incorporates some creative liberties, it closely follows the main characters and plot of the original novel.
According to Tran Thanh, an actor and co-producer, this movie is highly suitable for families as it encompasses a delightful blend of humor and touching moments. He further adds that after viewing the film, one is bound to develop an even greater affection for Vietnam and its people.
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| A scene from the ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam’ movie released by the filmmaking crew |
Thanh believes that Dat Rung Phuong Nam would be a valuable addition to Vietnam’s tourism promotion efforts, as it effectively showcases the country’s stunning landscapes.
The filming for the upcoming production, “Dat Rung Phuong Nam,” commenced in December 2022. The shooting locations encompassed Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, An Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh Provinces.
One of the most demanding shoots was conducted at Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Giang, capturing a vibrant floating market scene. This intricate production required an extensive 60-day preparation phase and involved over 400 extras.
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| A floating market in the Mekong Delta region featured in ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam’ |
In a promotional video for the film, producer Nguyen Tri Vien highlighted the significant challenges faced during the production process, particularly in creating the various settings. One particular scene that proved to be the most difficult was the floating market sequence.
Currently, the residents of the Mekong Delta primarily rely on composite boats. In order to address this, we embarked on the construction of 50 wooden boats in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province. These boats were subsequently transported to the Tra Su forest via a larger vessel.
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| A scene from the ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam’ movie released by the filmmaking crew |
According to Tran Minh Tri, the former general director of An Giang Tourism JSC, the organization responsible for managing Tra Su cajuput forest eco-tourism resort, there is a strong emphasis on preserving important filming locations to promote the movie and Tra Su tourism to a global audience of tourists.
Dat Rung Phuong Nam has captured the attention of the public, generating widespread excitement as one of their beloved childhood stories comes to life on the big screen.
There are concerns among some individuals that the upcoming film may be overshadowed by the immensely popular preceding television series.
“Dat Rung Phuong Nam” is set to be released in local cinemas with English subtitles on October 20th.
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| A scene from the ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam’ movie released by the filmmaking crew |
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