The Successful Release of the Film
Lat Mat 6 premiered on April 28, just one day before the national holiday period spanning April 30 to May 1. Before that, many people speculated that Tam Ve Dinh Menh would attract audiences because of the “Ly Hai brand.”
Prior to its release, Ly Hai had already established a successful track record.
The long holiday period (from April 29 to May 3) serves as a favorable condition for Ly Hai’s film to enter the list of top-grossing films at Vietnamese cinemas in 2023. As of April 30, Lat Mat 6 earned 78 billion VND, according to statistics from Box Office Vietnam. The film currently leads the revenue for the day with 16.9 billion VND, from 3,947 screenings and 175,606 tickets sold.
In just three days since its release (including two early screenings from 7 PM on April 26-27), Tam Ve Dinh Menh achieved an average daily revenue of 15.6 billion VND. This figure even surpassed the revenue of Nhà Bà Nữ (which currently ranks first in Vietnamese box office history with over 450 billion VND). During the Tet holiday, Tran Thanh’s film averaged around 12 billion VND per day in its initial release period.
Simultaneously released with Lat Mat 6 is Con Nhot Mot Chong. However, Thu Trang’s film garnered significantly less attention, earning only 38.2 billion VND. The competition for ticket sales between the “top stars” Thu Trang – Thai Hoa (Con Nhot Mot Chong) and Ly Hai (Tam Ve Dinh Menh) is expected to intensify as the holiday continues until May 3.
Currently trending on social media, Lat Mat 6 is experiencing a surge in popularity.
Ly Hai’s team announced that they have reported violations related to the promotion of the film, including video recordings made within the cinema. Previously, the film’s representative informed that there was a live stream conducted inside the cinema.
Minh Ha – from Ly Hai’s production team for Lat Mat 6 – stated that the filming team had an early screening at Dinh Yen, Dong Thap (the filming location), but there was absolutely no one recording inside. The incident of being filmed inside the cinema has caused distress for the film crew and the production team, raising concerns about potential damage.
Audience cheering for Ly Hai at the screening, thanking the local residents of Dinh Yen, Dong Thap.
Intense Drama, Unresolved Tensions
The content of Lat Mat 6 revolves around a group of childhood friends in a traditional village, including Phuong (Quoc Cuong), Khanh (Trung Dung), Phat (Huy Khanh), An (Thanh Thuc), Toan (Tran Kim Hai), and Loc (Huynh Thi). They share a common goal of obtaining a lottery ticket while facing a unique challenge of a 136.8 billion VND jackpot. The stakes are raised when An, the ticket holder, encounters an accident and loses the ticket, which he had hidden in his wallet.
Despite the financial difficulties, this group of friends remains strong, each contributing a unique idea while getting caught in a whirlwind of competition and conflict that leads to various comedic situations.
The main highlights of Lat Mat 6 are the continuous “lat mat” (face-slap) moments among the friends. The plot intertwines humorous situations with rapid changes in dynamics. Audiences experience a rollercoaster of emotions through comedic scenes and dramatic developments, making it feel as though they are on a thrilling ride.
However, the film’s narrative still lacks coherence. The main characters are introduced somewhat abruptly, which hinders the audience’s understanding of their motivations and relationships, leading to confusion over their decisions and actions.
Tam Ve Dinh Menh causing friends to take turns slapping each other.
Audience Emotional Responses
Despite some shortcomings in the script, Ly Hai skillfully utilized the talents of the cast to highlight individual characters.
The film showcases a diverse range of characters, from a father struggling with difficult circumstances (Phuong) to a gang leader who uses the group for his own benefit (Khanh), a cunning businessman (Phat), a poor laborer (Toan), a “money-loving” girl (Loc), and a young woman who is pregnant (Lien).
The main characters are relatable, placed in a dramatic scenario where they face the prospect of “risking their lives.” This creates a tension that resonates with audiences, drawing them into the story’s emotional depth.
Actor Quoc Cuong delivers an outstanding performance as Phuong, the emotional core of the film.
Ultimately, the film explores the complex relationship between individuals and their financial struggles through Lat Mat 6, which also includes commentary on societal issues, including the challenges of traditional lifestyles.
Alongside its plot, the film’s stunning visuals showcasing rural landscapes serve as a significant element in creating an emotional connection with the audience.
Scenic view of the rural village highlighting traditional lifestyles.
The Creative Energy of Ly Hai
The Lat Mat brand reflects the unique filmmaking style of Ly Hai, emphasizing authenticity and natural character development without relying heavily on structured scripts or predetermined plots.
However, the real strength of Ly Hai’s storytelling lies in his ability to connect emotionally with audiences.
Lat Mat 6 serves as a catalyst for emotional exploration, inviting viewers on a journey through friendship and humanity. The film provides insights while still delivering a light-hearted experience, blending comedy with poignant moments.
