Local gay-themed movie Lac Gioi (Paradise in Heart) has been chosen to compete at the 16th Le Festival International de Cinema Asiatique de Tours (FICAT) in France from March 17 to 25.

FICAT is a film festival for Asian directors to introduce their productions to French audiences. Lac gioi is running for best feature film and will be screened at 5:30 p.m. on March 19.

The movie tells a story about a notorious robber and killer named Trung (starring Trung Dung). During his getaway, he comes across a goat farm and falls in love with a doctor named Kim (starring Mai Thu Huyen) who takes care of Hai, a young gay man isolated by his family.

Hai also shows affection for Trung; hence, a romance triangle. At first, Trung rejects Hai’s love for him but later the heart of the criminal is melted by a feeble and isolated Hai who has a strong desire for being loved.

The movie received good box office sales in Vietnam and gained three Ngoi Sao Xanh (blue star) awards for best film, best actor and most potential actor.

According to Mai Thu Huyen, the film’s producer, Lac gioi will be sent to multiple film festivals, including the Newport Beach Film Festival in California, U.S.A. in late April.