A scene in Bắc Kim Thang (Home Sweet Home), a horror film by young director Tran Huu Tan, is expected to hit cinemas this Halloween. — Photo courtesy of the producer

Thất Sơn Tâm Linh (Kuman Thoong), directed by Vietnamese-American director Ham Tran, depicts a murder in a country house. The film is based on a true story about a mass murder in Dong Thap Province. Its stars Dinh Y Nhung, Thanh Tu and Hoang Yen Chibi.

According to unofficial sources, the film’s director, Ham, and his producers cut out some sex and crime scenes before its release.

Critics and fans hope that Thất Sơn Tâm Linh will bring a different dimension to the industry which is typically dominated by comedies and light fare.

“Scary films from Hollywood and South Korea have earned big profits in ticket sales in Vietnam,” said director Ham, who returned to horror, his favourite topic, instead of working on comedies.

“My film is a story about crime and punishment," said Ham at the film’s launch in HCM City in April.

Ham made his mark with the horror production Đoạt Hồn (Hollow), a hit in summer 2016 that was instrumental in introducing his brand name to Vietnam. Ham said that he wanted to direct and produce films in his own way, whether they are serious dramas or light, entertaining features.

Produced by Yeah1CMG and Galaxy M&E, the film’s trailer on YouTube has attracted more than 1.4 million viewers.

Many people have written comments about the work and said they hoped to see Ham’s progress in his new film.

Ham’s competitor, young director Tran Huu Tan, sent his first film, Bắc Kim Thang (Home Sweet Home), to the 24th Busan International Film Festival, which opened on October 4, before release in Vietnam two weeks later.

The film is about a young man who believes his house is being hunted following six months in a hospital. He sees his cousin, who committed suicide, and dummies in the house while listening to Bắc Kim Thang, a folk song.

The film features Meritorious Artist Phi Dieu and veteran actor Trung Dan as well as young artists Minh Hy and Trinh Tai.

It will compete in the category A Window on Asian Cinema.

“We were over the moon when our film, Bắc Kim Thang, was in cinemas in Busan,” said the film’s director of production, Hoang Quan.

Thất Sơn Tâm Linh will be released on Friday while Bắc Kim Thang will be in cinemas in October 25.

VNS