On Wednesday afternoon, Box Office Vietnam announced that ‘Mai,’ directed by Tran Thanh, had surpassed the VND200-billion ($8.2 million) mark, making it the fastest film in Vietnamese cinema history to achieve this milestone. The film grossed VND204 billion ($8.3 million).
Tran Thanh, known for his previous movies ‘Bo Gia’ (Dad, I’m Sorry) released in 2021 and ‘Nha Ba Nu’ (The House of No Man) premiered in 2023, has had remarkable success. ‘Bo Gia’ earned revenues of VND427 billion ($17.5 million) and ‘Nha Ba Nu’ garnered VND475 billion ($19.4 million).
With the success of ‘Mai,’ Tran Thanh has become the first Vietnamese director to achieve a cumulative film revenue of more than VND1.1 trillion ($45 million), surpassing the VND1-trillion milestone.
‘Mai,’ which has an 18+ rating, was showcased during this year’s Lunar New Year festivities. The film, with an investment of nearly VND50 billion ($2 million), tells the story of Mai, a massage therapist nearing 40, who unexpectedly crosses paths with musician Duong, seven years her junior, sparking a flirtatious dynamic between them. The lead roles are portrayed by actress Phuong Anh Dao and actor Tuan Tran. The film also features a talented cast of veteran artists and emerging talents.
Tran Thanh initially pursued acting at the University of Theater and Cinema Ho Chi Minh City but gained fame as a comic television host. He has since expanded his career to include acting and film directing.
