From Singer to Director: The Journey of Ly Hai in the “Lật Mặt” Franchise
Since the late 1990s, Ly Hai has been a prominent singer known for his catchy songs and vibrant dances, earning him the nickname “Golden Foot”. In 2000, he launched the series Trận Đấu Bên Em. These musical films, each lasting around 90 minutes, have transformed Ly Hai into a significant figure in the music film industry. At that time, Ly Hai could be seen as a pioneer in the music film movement, producing works that received numerous accolades from audiences.
Ly Hai has consistently achieved success over the years with 10 albums of Trận Đấu Bên Em and several other albums. Notably, the series Trận Đấu Bên Em helped him reach various milestones, such as being the first to shoot aerial and car action scenes—something that Vietnamese cinema had not yet explored; performing stunts from the 8th floor of a high-rise building in Trận Đấu Bên Em 7; and being the first to release online albums on Zing MP3 with Trận Đấu Bên Em 9. Throughout his musical career, Ly Hai has released over 600 songs, with 20 of them being original compositions. Many of his popular songs have become quotes among the audience.
While still at the peak of his singing career, in 2015, Ly Hai ventured into directing with a grand vision by releasing his first feature film, Lật Mặt. Many people consider Ly Hai a “self-taught” director, but he actually graduated from the Theater and Cinema School 2 (now the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema). With a deep passion for filmmaking, Ly Hai has continuously researched film production, scriptwriting, and directing techniques.
Utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from his music films, in 2015, Ly Hai tackled filmmaking with his debut production—Lật Mặt. The film received enthusiastic support from the public, grossing 72 billion VND and paving the way for Ly Hai to release four more projects with increasing revenue over time: Lật Mặt: Phim Trường – 80 billion VND, Lật Mặt: Ba Chàng Khuyết – 85 billion VND, Lật Mặt: Nhà Có Khách – 120 billion VND, and the blockbuster Lật Mặt: 48H – over 150 billion VND.
After five films, Lật Mặt has been recognized as the film series that has quickly generated revenue growth, simultaneously ranking as one of the top grossing films in Vietnamese cinema.
After eight years, Ly Hai has established himself as one of the leading producers and directors in the film industry, opening up a trend of franchise filmmaking in Vietnamese cinema.
Passion for Innovation and Overcoming Challenges
One of the reasons why the Lật Mặt series has consistently captivated audiences is the adventurous spirit of director Ly Hai, always ready to explore new boundaries.
From the very first film, he was willing to “sacrifice” a car to execute a scene with a vehicle tumbling down a cliff. By the second installment, Lật Mặt: Phim Trường, Ly Hai had already invested in destroying two cars and a luxury motorcycle for a chase scene amidst police and mafia action. In Lật Mặt: Ba Chàng Khuyết, the production team continued to “push the limits” by demolishing four new cars to create dramatic scenes. In Lật Mặt: Nhà Có Khách, the crew built a massive cyclone structure, and in Lật Mặt: 48H, Ly Hai again set a significant benchmark by spending over 3 billion VND to mobilize more than 100 crew members, 7 cameras, and 10 boats, constructing several Cham houses in just one month for a single scene.
Ly Hai and the Lật Mặt series have continuously innovated and experimented with various genres to attract audiences. Each of his films contains unique content, ranging from action, comedy, emotional drama, to psychological thrillers, creating a “palette” for the audience.
Coming up next, Ly Hai will continue to reinvent himself with the upcoming installment Lật Mặt 6: Tâm Vế Định Mệnh, which features completely different content from its predecessors. This will also be the first time Ly Hai experiments with genres such as psychological thrillers and action-comedy.
A Director Rich in Emotions and Always Seeking Origins
The name Ly Hai is always closely associated with his love for Vietnamese culture, as he consistently strives to showcase beautiful images of Vietnam on screen. In the Lật Mặt franchise, each film features stunning landscapes with many famous landmarks across the country. For instance, Lật Mặt 1 and 3 showcase locations in Da Lat and Dak Lak, while Lật Mặt 2 includes scenes from Phan Thiet and Vinh Hy (Ninh Thuan).
Not only does he elevate the cinematic experience with stunning visuals, but Ly Hai also embeds traditional Vietnamese cultural elements. In Lật Mặt 5, he brought to life the cultural heritage of the Cham community. The film includes scenes set in the traditional Cham village, portraying the rich history and culture of the region. In his latest film, Lật Mặt 6: Tâm Vế Định Mệnh, he incorporates the traditional craft of making incense as a central theme. Ly Hai firmly stated: “I will shoot in the Mekong Delta, but it will not resemble the imagery from previous films in the Lật Mặt series; it will be a very different Mekong Delta.”
Lật Mặt 6: Tâm Vế Định Mệnh is scheduled to premiere on April 28, 2023 (just in time for the holiday on April 30).
