CGV’s Refusal to Screen Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess – A Significant Blow to the Film Industry, with 40% of Seats Left Empty, While Tấm Cám’s Production Costs Reach 20 Billion VND. Can We Still Trust the Film’s Revenue?
Good news has come to Vân as several cinemas have started booking many shows, and audiences have also begun to reserve tickets for the screening of Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess. As a producer and director, this is a joyous and significant moment for Vân and the entire team, feeling more relieved knowing the support and affection from the audience towards the film. There are audiences watching more than 2 times. Deep down, Vân is proud and sends heartfelt thanks to viewers everywhere who have supported the film.
As for the revenue, it is too early to say, but if this positive signal continues, the team still sees hope, and the situation is likely to improve.
After the lukewarm reception of Tấm Cám, should we consider having more opportunities, stricter regulations to protect Vietnamese films right at home?
In the role of a film producer, Vân realizes there are many limitations and challenges in film production. However, many Vietnamese producers remain passionate about filmmaking because they know Vietnamese audiences do not turn away from Vietnamese films. Yet, the number of Vietnamese films released in Vietnam is still limited compared to foreign films imported into Vietnam. This situation is rather disappointing.
Vân believes that there should be broader conditions created for Vietnamese films to have more opportunities for development in the domestic market, especially in terms of distribution. Because good products that are not widely screened for the public will certainly not only leave producers disappointed but also audiences unable to see products made for them in their own country. This is truly unreasonable.
Tấm Cám has a shocking ending that adheres closely to the original version. Should the conclusion only be that it lacks the essence of the traditional narrative? Despite the two sisters being evil, their actions seem too human and relatable within the context of the feudal culture.
Furthermore, Vân still feels vulnerable, depending on the audience’s perception of how they will understand the film. The production team and the scriptwriters have thought and focused a lot on additional scenes this time, presenting it in the best way possible. Audiences might find it common and even somewhat surprising compared to the actual story in the narrative; some may find the ending to be shocking.
During the making of this film, Vân received much feedback from audiences focusing on how the team executed a different ending than the original story. Nevertheless, Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess is a story that draws inspiration from the classic Tấm Cám fairy tale, with an emphasis on the story’s more human elements that should be portrayed in the most engaging way possible within the context of the current media landscape.
Tấm Cám has received high praise for its visual effects, but the performances of the two lead actresses are still under scrutiny. Is this the film’s weak point?
Vân also shared with journalists and audiences about the challenges faced in the film, where she personally felt that during production, the team was dealing with numerous obstacles. Although the production budget was around 20 billion VND, it still felt limiting to create something outstanding. However, the animation work done by Cyclo Animation was quite impressive, and Vân is very proud that the Vietnamese team could create beautiful visual effects, allowing audiences to see Vietnamese films utilizing such animation as in foreign films.
This is Vân’s heartfelt ambition; Vân wants to make a mark regardless of the many limitations. However, if we keep facing challenges regarding funding, we will not go far without being able to deliver cinematic experiences to audiences. Making good films is not just about having the ability to create better products; later films can develop further from this current level.
The scene where Tấm hangs from the top of the bridge, feeling helpless, expresses Hạ Vi’s emotional breakdown as she faces a significant crisis on the internet. There were only brief interpretations on her fan page regarding “The end is a bitter orange.” So, should she not feel guilty about the character’s overwhelming – currently facing many crises – of Hạ Vi?
The plot presents a challenging state of distress, bitterness, as Tấm understands what is happening with her, realizing she is about to be harmed by her own mother and sister, and must escape from her loved ones. The emotional complexity is difficult for a new actress like Hạ Vi to portray in her first film role. Before, audiences only knew her as the girl who was bullied, but in a film context, she must express various emotional layers that Dì Ghẻ (the stepmother) and Cám (the sister) are experiencing while having to do this, and Tấm, when hanging from the bridge, has already understood why she must die. Emotional connections for the character’s actions and feelings of the three characters are crucial.
Meme Tấm Cám is currently trending
Hạ Vi is a new actress and this is her first film role, making it difficult to avoid audience comments about her acting skills in her debut film. Hạ Vi has tried hard for this role, from the beginning of portraying Hạ Vi, she was very worried and had concerns with Vân about this role because the leading role is quite significant. However, if she continues, we can only hope that her potential can shine from the beginning. This initial phase is indeed daunting for her and requires many experiences to step into the acting profession.
Deep in discussion with internet users!
The media is currently evaluating the situation critically, especially since CGV refused to screen Tấm Cám as a means to PR the film…
Not everyone understands her. Vân feels emotional. As the producer of this film for over 18 months, she understands the working process and how it resonates with the audience, so she feels sad when there are many unforeseen circumstances that her spirit is facing. Vân does not blame the audience for feeling this way because every person’s perception and situation is different. Only those in their own conditions can truly understand the situation.
Regardless of the situation, audiences have been engaging and actively supporting the film. Just three days after its release, cinemas have seen audiences booking tickets and queuing to buy tickets. Vân and the team feel touched and grateful for the support of the audiences everywhere for Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess and Vietnamese films. Truly grateful. At this moment, the film is warmly embraced by audiences in cinemas, marking a significant turning point.
After Tấm Cám, will there be a desire to continue directing in the future?
In fact, Vân wants to focus more on the role of a producer than directing. The reality is that while making Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess, the initial intention was not to be the director. As a producer, Vân will have more opportunities to create more works and develop her creative potential, allowing her to arrange her productions better. The director’s role is very appealing, but it also consumes much of Vân’s time. Like with Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess, Vân dedicated 18 months focusing on it, almost without time to work on other productions.
Will she continue to be tied to the fantasy genre? Or will she experiment with another genre that Ngô Thanh Vân also succeeded in, such as action films?
You are right, Vân is indeed considering. Vân likes the fantasy genre and if Tấm Cám: The Legend of the Moon Princess receives positive feedback from audiences, then she might continue to create new products within this genre. However, currently, Vân is contemplating a project related to contemporary action films.
Thank you, Ngô Thanh Vân!
(According to Kenh14 – Trí Thức Trẻ)
