Southeast Asia sellers at Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) bring an action horror from the director of Death Whisperer and a film by the twin brothers behind online sensation 1977 Vlog.
Festival
1982 (Viet)
Dir Nguyen Hoang Diep
Following her 2014 debut Flapping In The Middle Of Nowhere, winner of the Fedeora Award for best film at Venice Critics’ Week, Diep premieres 1982 in the Vision — Asia competition. It follows the journey of a director who is losing hope of making her dream film, while her mother has gone missing after making a promise to sell the house; Do Thi Hai Yen (The Quiet American) stars. Diep produced Rom, which won Busan’s 2019 New Currents Award, and co-produced 2010 Cannes award winner Bi, Don’t Be Afraid!.
Contact Okia Hanoi Film Production
Bua (Thai)
Dirs Inthira Charoenpura, Phensiri Klangsurin
This Vision — Asia competition title is a coming-of-age drama set in the 1970s, during a significant period of change in Thai history. The titular countryside girl travels to Bangkok in search of her long-absent mother, exposing her to the harsh realities of life. The film stars newcomer Orapriya Khamchuang, alongside Chaninthorn Jitpreeda. It is produced by Kongkiat Production and North Star Production and backed by Shinesaeng Ad.Venture. Bua marks the feature directorial debut of both Inthira, who starred in 1999 horror classic Nang Nak, and Phensiri.
Contact Shinesaeng Ad.Venture
Market
Billiards Hustle (Viet)
Dirs Trung Anh, Viet Anh
Known for their quirky humour and sharp satire, twin brothers Trung Anh and Viet Anh gained instant fame for their YouTube channel 1977 Vlog, with its videos generating more than 500 million views across social networks. Their feature directing debut is an action comedy about a by-the-book lawyer who picks up a pool cue and challenges a gang of superpowered hustlers. Through bizarre training and supernatural skills, he must rise as an unlikely hero and reclaim the billiards association from the crime boss. A release in Vietnam is set for January through CGV.
Contact Skyline Media
Dawn Of Soengsang (Thai)
Dir Taweewat Wantha
This $3m action horror adventure is the latest from Death Whisperer director Taweewat. It follows a group of soldiers on a secret mission to rescue a general’s granddaughter who encounter the mythical Saming, a gigantic tiger that roams the forbidden Soengsang forest. The tiger has been rendered using extensive visual effects. The cast is led by Mario Maurer (Khun Pan 3) and rising star Natsha Taechamongkalapiwat. The Thai release is set for December 31.
Contact 13 Studio
Descendants Of The Sun (Indo)
Dir Hanung Bramantyo
This big-screen adaptation of 2016’s record-breaking K-drama TV series of the same name is reimagined as a two-part Indonesian epic with top local stars Reza Rahadian (Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash) and Dian Sastrowardoyo (Cigarette Girl). The story revolves around a fearless special forces officer and a compassionate physician who are caught in the crossfire of war on an island. Dapur Film Production, Newko Entertainment and Barunson C&C produce alongside co-producer Next Entertainment World (NEW).
Contact Barunson E&A
Jani Be Good (Indo)
Dir Ariani Darmawan
This family drama centres on a 13-year-old girl who is keeping a secret for her runaway sister from her single mother and grandmother. Director Ariani, whose 2008 short Sugiharti Halim was in competition at Clermont-Ferrand, co-wrote the screenplay for her feature debut with novelist and poet Cyntha Hariadi. Producer Meiske Taurisia of Palari Films is behind Locarno 2021 Golden Leopard-winning film Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash. Indonesian star Luna Maya is executive producer. The film premieres in Tokyo’s Asian Future competition and a local release is set for December 10.
Contact Palari Films
Lion Queen (Thai)
Dir Khomkrit Treewimol
Inspired by a true story, this drama follows a woman who tries to beat the odds and stage a performance with her Thai Chinese family’s lion dance troupe, fulfilling a dream of her late father. The cast includes Tipanan Nilsiam of T-pop group Punch 4EVE and Arak Amornsupasiri (4 Kings). The Thai release is planned for February 4. Khomkrit’s credits include 2024’s My Boo, which is in the Remake IP lineup at Busan Story Market.
Contact Jungka Studio
No comments yet