The production team behind Sky battle, a new action-thriller inspired by a real hijacking case in Vietnam, says they are not under pressure despite the film's release coinciding with the massive success of Red rain at the box office.

Sky battle is a dramatic action film based on a true hijacking that occurred in Vietnam after 1975. It premieres as Red rain - directed by Meritorious Artist Dang Thai Huyen - continues to dominate theaters nearly a month after its release, with earnings reaching $27.3 million (as of the afternoon of September 16, according to Box Office Vietnam).

At the film’s premiere in Ho Chi Minh City, the head-to-head debut of the two high-profile films drew considerable media attention. When asked whether they felt pressure competing with Red rain, producer Nguyen Quoc Cong responded that Red rain was a large-scale military film produced by the People’s Army Cinema, while Sky battle is a production of the People’s Public Security Cinema.

“Red rain tells the story of a major historical event, while Sky battle revolves around a more contained real-life incident with an action-entertainment approach,” Cong explained. “Due to the different themes and storytelling styles, we don’t feel the pressure.”

The Sky battle project involved hundreds of crew members committed to creating a high-quality film through teamwork and trust. “We can’t control how audiences will react to our film - whether they’ll love it or not. What we can do is pour our hearts into the project and give it our all,” Cong said.

Regarding the film’s rating, the producer clarified that the T16 classification (for audiences aged 16 and above) was carefully reviewed by the Classification Board, taking into account both content and presentation. This decision ensures that viewers are mature enough to process the story, while still keeping the film accessible to a wide audience.

“Red rain received a T13 rating, but that’s not a major concern. What matters is that both films reached the public,” he added.

Actor Thai Hoa plays the complex role of the hijacking ringleader. He humbly noted this isn’t yet his “career-defining role” but jokingly called it “a role to park for now.” He expressed hopes of landing a truly iconic part in the future.

Actress Kaity Nguyen shared her excitement over playing a character based on a real person involved in a historic event. “It’s not often you get to portray someone who lived through such a rare and intense experience. I just want to represent her story as truthfully as possible,” she said.

At the premiere event, two key eyewitnesses of the hijacking - captain Pham Trung Nam and former flight attendant Ngo Kim Thanh - were in attendance. Both served as real-life inspirations for the characters portrayed in the film.

Former flight attendant Kim Thanh expressed her honor at attending the premiere. She said the film immortalized a successful mission on June 28, 1978, which marked a proud moment in Vietnam’s aviation history. The movie’s release, she added, is especially meaningful as it coincides with national celebrations.

“For me, that event was a lifelong trauma. Watching the film brought back the terrifying memories, and my heart ached during every intense scene,” she recalled.

Captain Pham Trung Nam, who experienced the entire incident firsthand, was visibly moved during the screening. The suspenseful scenes transported him back to the harrowing moments of the past.

To ensure authenticity, the production team rebuilt the aircraft’s interior from scratch - replicating everything from the cockpit controls and seats to the uniforms of the flight crew.

Alongside leads Thai Hoa and Kaity Nguyen, the film features a strong supporting cast including Thanh Son, Xuan Phuc, Vo Dien Gia Huy, Tran Ngoc Vang, and Ma Ran Do. Sky battle is set to hit theaters nationwide on September 19.

Tuan Chieu