A scene from Song Lang movie

‘Song Lang’ (The Tap Box) directed by Leon Le and ‘Co Can Nha Nam Nghe Nang Mua’ (Like An Old House) directed by Mai The Hiep have been selected to compete with 27 other films at the festival held in Kuching, Malaysia, from April 25 to 27.

The Tap Box tells the story of the relationship between a ‘cai luon’ (reformed theater art) artist and a gangster with a love for the art set in 1980s Ho Chi Minh City. It won for Leon Le the Best Director award at the Sharm El-Sheikh Asian Film Festival in Egypt last month, and Tokyo Gemstone Award for actor Lien Binh Phat at Japan’s Tokyo International Film Festival in 2018.

Like An Old House, released in 2017, tells the story of a mother who waits for her son for 30 years after he fled home facing false charges of murder. The film has been hailed for actress Kim Xuan's performance.

The biennial ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards began in 2013 to celebrate Southeast Asian movies. This year, the festival has awards in 16 categories. Hollywood actor Steven Seagal is a special invitee this year, while celebrities to attend the festival in the past have included Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh.

At the last AIFFA Vietnamese film Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu (The Way Station) by Hong Anh won three prizes including for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director of Photography.-VNA