VietNamNet Bridge – Huong Ga (Rise), a movie based on the life of a female gang leader, won the three top prizes at the annual 2014 Golden Kite awards last night.

Hardcore: A scene from Huong Ga, a movie on a female gang leader that won three top prizes at the annual 2014 Golden Kite awards yesterday. — Photo courtesy of Galaxy Studio

The awards were organised by the Viet Nam Cinematography Association in HCM City.

Vietnamese-Canadian director Cuong Ngo's action thriller won the Silver Kite prize for the best movie, along with two other movies: veteran director Phi Tien Son's Lac Gioi (Paradise in Heart) and director Nguyen Duc Viet's Nhung Dua Con Cua Lang (Children of the Village).

Cuong, a graduate in film production and directing from York University in Toronto, received the Golden Kite prize for best director.

Based on a novel by Nguyen Dinh Tu, Huong Ga is the story of a girl named Huong, who goes from being an incense seller at a train station to becoming a gang leader.

The film's subject and visual effects left a strong impression on the jury and the audience.

Cuong said he and his crew had worked hard to film the action scenes.

Truong Ngoc Anh, who plays the leading role in the film, won the award for best actress.

The VND18 billion (US$846,000) movie has earned around VND30 billion ($1.41 million) in ticket sales.

The Golden Kite prize for best actor went to Pham Trung Dung, who plays the role of an escaped criminal named Trung in Lac Gioi.

In the TV series category, the Golden Kite prize was presented to Director Phuong Dien's Cha Roi (Single Fathers). The 37-episode series features the challenges single fathers face in modern life.

Quach Khoa Nam received the Best Director award for his 35-episode series Nguoi Chong Dien (Mad Husband).

The Viet Nam Animation Studio's Cau Be Co Lau (The Boy and Reed Grass), based on national hero Dinh Bo Linh, won the Best Animation Film, while director Phung Van Ha received the prize for the Best Animation Director.

Young Director Le Hoang's Co Gai Tren Tang Thuong (The Girl on the Rooftop) was named the Best Short Film.

People's Artist Dao Trong Khanh received the Golden Kite Prize for Best Documentary, Giot Nuoc Giua Dai Duong (A Drop on the Ocean), based on the life of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Veteran director Ngo Manh Lan and People's Artist Nguyen The Anh were honoured for their contribution to the industry.

The organisers also handed out prizes to scriptwriters, for sound and visual effects, cinematography research works and scientific films.

The 2014 Golden Kite awards drew 137 entries, including 17 movies, 25 TV series, 52 documentaries, 14 cartoons, seven science films, and three cinematography researches.

The jury included skilled artists and experts, such as Professor Tran Luan Kim, writer Chu Lai and People's Artist Tra Giang.

Thousands of audience members participated in the week-long free screenings, which featured nominees for the awards, and which began on March 8 at CGV Thao Dien, BHD Pham Hung and Tan Son Nhat cinemas.

VNS