Vietnamese Film Receives Positive Feedback at 2023 Cannes Film Festival

At the renowned Cannes International Film Festival, a Vietnamese movie has left a lasting impression on the world’s most renowned and glitzy film event.

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Director Pham Thien An (fourth from left) and friends and crew “Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” attended the May 24 screening at Cannes. Photo courtesy of the director
Director Pham Thien An (fourth from left) and friends and crew “Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” attended the May 24 screening at Cannes. Photo courtesy of the director

On May 24, the critically acclaimed Vietnamese movie, “Ben Trong Vo Ken Vang” (also known as “Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” in English), premiered at the Directors Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival and was met with a five-minute long standing ovation from the audience, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

The Vietnamese movie “Ben Trong Vo Ken Vang” – also known as “Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” in English – has elicited a remarkable five-minute standing ovation from its audience. This awe-inspiring film has left viewers in admiration of its captivating story and stunning cinematography. The success of the movie is a testament to the skill and commitment of its filmmakers.

In 2020, acclaimed filmmaker Pham Thien An wrote and directed his feature debut, Hay Thuc Tinh va San Sang (Stay Awake, Be Ready), based on his award-winning short movie of the same name.

The movie follows the journey of a young man named Thien, who is tasked with transporting his sister-in-law’s remains back to their hometown in the countryside after she tragically lost her life in a motorcycle accident.

Amid the captivating panoramas of the Vietnamese countryside, Thien begins a quest to find his elder brother, who has been missing for years.

It took a full four-year span to complete the film, with three separate filming sessions held in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

A still in 'Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell'
A still in ‘Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell’.

“Four years was a challenge and a blessing,” An said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such talented and passionate friends to create this movie. I am truly thankful for this amazing experience.”

An’s short film was awarded a prestigious prize at the Directors Fortnight in 2019. The recognition has been a great honor for the filmmaker and has demonstrated the high quality of the film.

We were thoroughly engrossed in the narrative, its protagonists, and the magnificent cinematography,” stated Sébastien Chesneau, Cercamon CEO, in an interview with Variety.

We are honored to be the face of Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell, an inspiring film that demonstrates the power of storytelling to bridge cultural differences and captivate viewers with its touching storyline and beautiful visuals.

The film will be Vietnam’s official entrant vying for the coveted Camera d’Or Award.

Director Pham Thien An, born in 1989 in Lam Dong province, has achieved stellar success in the film industry. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the 48 Hours Film Project in Ho Chi Minh City and the top prize at the CJ Short Film Making Project, one of the most renowned short film competitions in Vietnam.

In 2015, he relocated to the United States to pursue his career as a freelance filmmaker.

His latest short film, Cam Lang, known as “The Mute” in English, was screened as a World Premiere at the prestigious Palm Springs International Shortfest in the US in 2018. It has since gone on to compete at 15 international short film festivals, including Winterthur in Switzerland, Tampere in Finland, Encounters in the UK, and Aspen in the US.

Hannah Nguyen