Top 10 Must-Watch Films by Director Nguyen Quang Dung

Her and Trinh is a romantic drama inspired by the love affairs and life of Trinh. The film begins with Trinh Cong Son's first encounter with high school student Michiko at the end of the 1980s. Pursuing a master's thesis on anti-war music, she travels to Vietnam to explore the life and persona of the talented musician. Through Trinh Cong Son's reminiscences, layers of memories are unfolded, reviving a romantic era with ethereal muses. In the present, he and Michiko also develop feelings through a mutual connection in music. Their meetings and exchanges lead Michiko to delve into Trinh Cong Son's realm of memories about the love affairs throughout his life.

Their feelings mature over time, and eventually, he proposes to Michiko just before she decides to return to her country. However, the unexpected appearance of Dao Anh after 20 years of silence stirs up different emotions within Trinh Cong Son. This causes Michiko to feel increasingly distant from the musician. Dao Anh revisits old keepsakes and unexpectedly discovers secret letters she had never read before. She brings them to confront her mother but knows it's too late for reconciliation. Dao Anh decides to bid farewell to Trinh Cong Son. The wedding between Michiko and Trinh Cong Son is scheduled shortly after, held at the Japanese Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City, but Michiko doesn't show up because she realizes that the one in his heart all along has been Dao Anh, and he still hasn't forgotten her. Later, at the concert 'Trinh Cong Son and Friends,' he introduces the new female singer Hong Nhung to the audience. The song 'For Life's Gratitude' resonates alongside Trinh Cong Son's melodies, in a hall filled with people.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2022

Cast: Avin Lu, Senior Artist Tran Luc, Pham Nguyen Lan Thy, Hoang Ha,...

IMDb Rating: 6.2

Autumn Promise is a film that recounts the journey to rediscover first love between Duy and the girl of that year, Pha Le. After a sudden accident, Duy, once a handsome and vibrant young man, falls into a deep coma... At 32 years old, he has spent 15 years in a coma. When he wakes up, he still retains the memories and personality of being 17, unaware that everyone around him has changed over time. His family is no longer intact, his best friend has lost his only younger brother, his former girlfriend is now a successful woman about to marry a wealthy man.

The over 30-year-old man with the naive characteristics of a teenager can hardly accept reality. Therefore, Duy is determined to win back Pha Le, the girl he pursued under the guidance of Long, the true 17-year-old boy who shared a room with him in the hospital. However, after 15 years, only Duy's memories and feelings remain intact. Everything else has changed like a dream that Duy never imagined.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2018

Cast: Nhan Phuc Vinh, Hoang Oanh, Hoang Phi, Duy Khanh,...

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Blood Moon Feast revolves around the story of a group of four best friends who have been together since childhood, until they become middle-aged men with their own families and careers. One day, Quang-Anh's family hosts a small party to celebrate their new home and also to reunite the group of friends to reminisce about the old days. The atmosphere of the party is lively, until Anh - as the host, suggests a small game for everyone to participate in, where everyone must put their phones on public mode for calls, messages, emails, or any notifications for everyone to see. This seemingly harmless game brings forth countless troubles, unveiling the hidden secrets and private thoughts that each person has kept hidden, making those who seemed to understand each other suddenly become strangers as if they had never known each other.

The film naturally leads viewers through everyday situations and familiar characters that can be encountered anywhere in society. However, as the story progresses, viewers will be increasingly drawn in by the secrets, deceptions, betrayals, and unexpected twists from each character who initially seemed very ordinary. In the end, each of us has three lives: public, private, and secret. And because none of us is perfect, everyone has their own secrets that they don't want anyone, even those closest to them, to know.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2020

Cast: Thai Hoa, Thu Trang, Kieu Minh Tuan, Duc Thinh,...

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Nostalgia Across the Snow depicts the sad story of those far from their homeland. The film begins with a beautiful scene of white snow, something every Vietnamese dreams of seeing. Amidst the blanketed white scene lies the longing and loneliness of Mr. Tu and Mr. Nam. Their days spent in a nursing home are dreary, their lives confined within four walls without the laughter of grandchildren. Eventually, they escape back home, sparking conflict among generations.

As the story progresses, Nostalgia Across the Snow brings more surprises to the audience, with plot twists becoming more intriguing and logical. The producers have paced the film well, balancing the story to prevent over-exaggeration. And in the end, everything ends in bitter sweetness. The focus of the film remains on Mr. Tu and Mr. Nam. Chú Hoài Linh and Chí Tài have experienced it all, having lived abroad for many years, they know the profound longing for their homeland. Therefore, their emotions in this film are very genuine. When Chú Hoài Linh raises his voice and sings the song Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang, emotions overflow, the theater falls silent, with occasional sounds of choked sobs.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2017

Cast: Chí Tài, Hoài Linh, Trish Lê, Thanh Hoàng,...

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Shining Years tells the story of friendship, of the passionate youth of a group of high school girls. The film is a journey to rediscover the youthful memories of Hieu Phuong and the wild girl group, Wild Horse. Set in the early 2000s, Hieu Phuong coincidentally reunites with her old friend My Dung. At this time, they are mature women. Phuong has a happy family with a little daughter while Dung is in her final days due to a severe cancer. Memories of the Wild Horse group from school suddenly flood back. Both decide to find their old friends to reminisce about those shining years together.

By chance encountering her old friend My Dung, also the leader of the Wild Horse group, Hieu Phuong is saddened to learn that her friend is suffering from a deadly disease. And to fulfill her friend's wish, Hieu Phuong is determined to find the members of the Wild Horse group. The journey to find her old friends is also the journey for Hieu Phuong to return to the 'SHINING YEARS' of her life.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2018

Cast: Hoang Yen Chibi, Jun Vu, Hoang Oanh, Khong Tu Quynh

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Superhero X is a film about silent heroes protecting the city. Superhero X is admired by many. One day, Superhero X coincidentally saves Miss Ky Ky in a diamond robbery. This makes Ky Ky deeply infatuated with the superhero, while the superhero despises her for her pretentious and snobbish attitude in real life. The situation escalates when the superhero is constantly targeted by the diamond robbers for revenge. Gradually, he begins to uncover the truth behind the veil of power. And that's when Ky Ky and many others discover who the real superhero is.

On the surface, the story seems simple but it is very detailed and complex. The way the world of superheroes is depicted with all its ups and downs has given the film a lively spirit with continuous twists and turns. Nevertheless, Superhero X is still a good entertainment film, thanks to its charming humor from Dung 'crazy' and the acting of Thanh Hang. This can be seen as a necessary step, providing motivation for Vietnamese filmmakers to aim for a truly superheroic work in the not-too-distant future.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2015

Cast: Diep Lam Oanh, Ngo Kien Huy, Thanh Hang, Phuong Thanh, Duy Khanh,..

IMDb Rating: 6.9

You Are My Grandma is a film about Granny Dai, a stylish and difficult old lady, especially fond of her unique son Ngô Trí Quang, who is a university professor. But her twilight years are not peaceful as conflicts with her daughter-in-law, friends, and a tumultuous past keep coming back. In the midst of her greatest distress, a miracle happens, turning Granny Dai into a youthful twenty-year-old girl. Not wasting the opportunity, she decides to make the most of every moment of the beautiful dream to fulfill many unfinished wishes. Beautiful Thanh Nga appears, overturning the lives of rebellious rock singer Ngô Trí Tùng, who is actually Granny Dai's grandson, handsome music producer Minh Đức, and even the old friend named Bé who deeply loves Granny Dai from her youth.

You Are My Grandma is a rare Vietnamese film that the whole family of all ages can enjoy, laughing, crying, and empathizing with the characters. The cute humor, beautiful young cast, good music, and meaningful content are the strengths of the film. These are qualities that Vietnamese cinema is still lacking.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2015

Cast: Miu Lê, NSND Minh Đức, Ngô Kiến, Hứa Văn Vỹ,...

IMDb Rating: 6.3

Saving the Grim Reaper is a comedic fantasy film from Vietnam directed by Nguyen Quang Dung, released during the Tet holiday in 2009. The movie follows An, a dreamy high school girl who wishes for a handsome Grim Reaper to come and take her soul, much like the character with the same name in the film Kiss of the Death Angel. One day, the Grim Reaper unexpectedly appears, but even in her wildest dreams, An couldn't imagine she would be the one to rescue Death himself.

Excited about the unexpected encounter, An immediately devises a plan to capture the Grim Reaper's help in transforming herself from a clumsy girl into a pop music star. She fantasizes about winning the heart of her basketball-playing boyfriend Quang Anh and seeking revenge on those who have bullied her. However, as the teen Grim Reaper becomes more active, An suffers dire consequences. In her pursuit of vengeance, she plots to make everyone as miserable as she is. The teen Grim Reaper is ordered to expose long-buried secrets, unraveling the tangled love triangles, the dark secrets of respected teachers, and the talented, intelligent students, showing them how it feels to be looked down upon by others.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2009

Cast: Thanh Loc, Minh Hang, Chi Thien, Dong Nhi,...

IMDb Rating: 5.3

Sparkling Kisses is Vietnam's first musical film, written and directed by Nguyen Quang Dung, portraying Lam, a wealthy, arrogant, and temperamental heiress. Lam inherits a luxurious resort in Nha Trang. Under the management of the petite boss who is passionate about singing and shopping but lacks management skills, the resort quickly becomes extravagant and at risk of bankruptcy.

To salvage her billion-dollar fortune and fulfill her dream of becoming a singer even for just one day, Lam plans to organize a grand charity concert, broadcast live on television, featuring many music stars. However, ironically, she lacks the funds to invite 'celebrities,' so this petite boss decides to use the talents of her gardeners, the security guard, the mother-and-son cleaning team, and the chef... along with signing a contract with the U4 band to perform on the night.

The film tells a simple, gentle story, blending humor and moderate romance, with a beautiful cast, in a carefully crafted setting. It's a story of youthful love, love transcending class barriers, love between older individuals, mother-child love, and even same-sex affection.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2010

Cast: Minh Hang, Leon Quang Le, Thanh Hang, Phuong Thanh, Thuy Tien,...

The Kiss of Death is a hilarious, terrifying, and wonderfully romantic film, telling the challenging mission of the death prince when performing the soul-kissing task for the beautiful wine shop girl named An. In 3 days, Du must place the soul-kiss on An; otherwise, he will incur the most terrible curse with the Death King. But the naive Death Prince was beaten to a pulp by the sexy and fierce An, forced to help her escape death time after time. In the run from death, An found something she valued more than life itself, which is love.

The Death King and all the dark forces are on a mission to kill An, to save Du from the curse. A surprising and incredibly romantic ending has moved both humans and the forces of death, witnessing the eternal power of love. The film, while having elements of horror, is equally humorous and romantic, leaving a good impression on viewers.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2008

Cast: Johnny Trí Nguyễn, Thanh Hằng, Hoài Linh,...

IMDb Rating: 6.2