For the first time ever, a Vietnamese film has taken home the top prize from the Asian Film Festival in Italy, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung. Hung represented the film crew as they accepted their award at the closing ceremony, which was held at the Farnese Arthouse Cinema on April 17th.
He expressed his deep gratitude to the film’s director, actors, actresses, and entire crew, describing the award as a tremendous honor. He also thanked them for helping to establish Vietnam’s cinematic presence on the global stage and for strengthening the cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Italy.
The film follows the journey of a young man who must transport his sister-in-law’s body back to his rural hometown following a tragic motorcycle accident. As he traverses the beautiful yet enigmatic landscapes, he embarks on a quest to find his older brother, who disappeared years earlier.
“Inside the Yellow Brick Road” is unquestionably one of the season’s most significant cinematic achievements, having won the Caméra d’Or (Golden Camera) at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, according to Antonio Terminini, Director of the Asian Film Festival in Italy, who spoke to the Vietnam News Agency.
He praised the remarkable advancements made by Vietnamese cinema, citing not only the work of young directors like Pham Thien An but also the vast potential for collaborative productions with European and Asian countries.
The Asian Film Festival in Italy, which is organized by the Robert Bresson Film Foundation, showcases the most recent and outstanding cinematic works from East Asia. It also provides a platform for directors, actors, actresses, producers, and other guests from various nations to connect with Italian producers and distributors in order to explore potential collaborations.
