The crew of Blade of the 8th: The Embrace of the Sun has officially unveiled one of the most challenging filming locations of the movie – the floodplain of a river. In the released documentary footage, audiences not only witness the meticulous production process but also feel the passionate fervor of director Ly Hai and his team, who have devoted themselves day and night to bring a true story to the screen, evoking emotions and highlighting human values. To recreate the authentic floodplain scenery, director Ly Hai and his team undertook an extensive journey of research and design based on the natural landscape.
Sharing about the preparation process, director Ly Hai stated: “The crew traveled extensively to find suitable filming locations, as the area where we filmed had to showcase two states: when the water recedes and when the water rises at flood level.”
After much surveying, the film crew ultimately chose the floodplain of Nha Trinh in Ninh Thuan as the primary backdrop for the pivotal scenes. The floodplain was constructed on the Dinh River (also known as Cai Phan Rang River), extending nearly 500 meters in length, standing 5 meters high, and 3 meters wide. To complete the set, the crew faced numerous challenges, particularly the need to navigate rapidly rising water, strong currents, and hazardous conditions. The transport of equipment, along with the cast and crew, had to be carefully orchestrated during precarious conditions. The harsh natural setting compounded the challenges of transporting equipment, making logistics exceptionally difficult. To recreate the exact natural scenery, the film crew had to adapt to many sudden changes, sometimes even risking their safety, especially when the floodwaters rose unexpectedly, creating swift currents that could sweep away both people and equipment.
According to the production company Minh Ha: “This area is quite narrow, and larger vehicles cannot access it, so setting up the desired scene as envisioned by director Ly Hai was a significant challenge for the entire crew.”
Director Ly Hai further elaborated that during the construction process, the crew often had to halt work due to the rising water levels. There were occasions when the water rose so quickly that it threatened their setup and equipment. “There were days when the water rose quickly, reaching almost a meter high, forcing us to evacuate,” said Ngoc Lan, the set designer, reflecting on the difficulties faced in creating a realistic setting.
Director Ly Hai also noted that the design process for the set presented numerous unexpected challenges. “On days when we were filming, the water levels would suddenly rise, making it impossible for the crew to continue working. On one occasion, after finishing the set, we had planned to shoot the next day, but the water rose quickly, sweeping away everything we had prepared,” he recounted.
Unyielding Spirit Behind the Scenes
With a responsible and committed filmmaking spirit, the work of the crew led by Ly Hai has set a high standard. According to assistant director Long Ga, safety measures were meticulously calculated, with around 10 stunt performers outfitted with life jackets. Crew members were also strategically positioned to be ready to assist in emergencies.
Actor Long Dep Trai, one of the direct participants in the water scenes, shared: “When filming these scenes, we knew there would be strong currents, but our determination to create authentic footage and live more vividly drove us.” He described it as a thrilling experience, stating that if something went wrong, they had to be prepared to adapt quickly.
After two days of continuous rain, the crew often found themselves submerged in cold water amid powerful currents, but they did not let go of their ambition to bring authentic and emotionally rich scenes to Blade of the 8th: The Embrace of the Sun.
The unwavering spirit of the filmmaking team is evident, as they continue to tackle the challenges posed by the floodplain setting, with director Ly Hai reiterating: “No challenge is insurmountable when it comes to our passion for filmmaking!”
Blade of the 8th: The Embrace of the Sun is currently screening at theaters nationwide.
