Internationally renowned news sources have reported that "Don’t Cry Butterfly" (Mua tren canh buom) from Vietnam is vying for the "Best Debut Film" award and will be screened in the International Critics’ Week (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) at the Venice Film Festival. The festival is being held in Italy from August 28 to September 17.

This debut film, directed and written by filmmaker Duong Dieu Linh, features Tu Oanh in the lead role. Set in Hanoi, the film tells the story of a middle-aged woman (played by Tu Oanh) who turns to an online shaman in hopes of changing her unfaithful husband's mind but inadvertently awakens a mysterious supernatural force within her own home.

According to this year's Venice Film Festival announcement, "Don’t Cry Butterfly" is one of seven debut films competing in the International Critics’ Week. Ten years ago, at the 71st Venice Film Festival, Vietnam also had a film in this category: "Dap canh giua khong trung" (Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere ) by director Nguyen Hoang Diep.

This is the first time Tu Oanh, known for her role in many TV series, has been cast in the lead role of an international film festival entry. Although she previously appeared in the 1988 film "Tuong ve huu" (The Retired General - 1988), she gained more recognition through her television work. Notably, Bui Thac Phong, the son of director Bui Thac Chuyen and actress Tu Oanh, also stars in "Don’t Cry Butterfly."

In addition to Tu Oanh, the film features actor Le Vu Long. Initially a dancer, Le Vu Long is well-known for his role as Phong ‘Lang Tu’ in the TV series "Xin hay tin em" (Please Believe Me). He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 14th Vietnam Film Festival for his role as Phien in "Nguoi dan ba mong du" (The Sleepwalking Woman). He last appeared in the film "Vo ba" (The Third Wife), released in 2018, but it was quickly withdrawn from theaters. After a six-year hiatus, Le Vu Long returns to the screen with this new role.

Quynh An