Hanoi (VNA) –📖 Similar to ‘Rung The Mang’ survival movie, which faced tough competition against a number of foreign blockbusters, Vietnamese movies are projected to fall into the same situation this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the risks of having fewer time slots.

In late 2021, only Rung The Mang – a Vietnamese survival film, boldly set its premiere date alongside numerous foreign blockbusters. ‘Survival’ not only indicates the movie’s genre but also the future of Vietnamese films this year. All decisions on film premieres have to be made upon uncontrollable forces, in particular the complex developments of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The longer the premiere date, the higher the cost, but which time will be the best to minimise losses is a tough nut to crack, especially as the market has become more arduous.

The strong stay strong; the weak remain weak 

Weathering unprecedented impacts brought about by the COVID-19, Vietnamese movies in early 2022 may face a tough time. Every filmmaker ponders the best release date to offset losses and restrict spending. In addition, optimal showing time slots are only allocated to those favoured by movie-goers. Therefore, films holding huge potential will gain an upper hand while others that are not appealing to the audiences are set to quickly suffer losses, many producers and directors pointed out.  Kay Tran, producer and director of ‘Co Ba Sai Gon’ (The Tailor) and ‘Hai Phuong’ (Furie), said that among the movies, the stronger ones remain strong while the weak get weaker. Entertainment and consumption demand is expected to soar in the post-pandemic period, Kay said, adding that small businesses are struggling to stay in the market and even facing bankruptcy. On the other hand, major firms are likely to further expand to meet demand.  To maximise interest and foster recovery after half a year of weathering hefty losses, movie theatres are believed to give optimal showing time slots to films attracting a big audience. In early 2021, the producer of ‘Vo Sinh Dai Chien’ directed by Ba Cuong took the initiative to not release the film, saying that it was given an unfavourable showing time by the cinemas.  Speaking to VietnamPlus, producer and director Nguyen Huu Tuan said the incident has lasted for many years and in various other movies. He said that it is impossible to devise a policy to ensure minimum time slots for Vietnamese-made movies amid pressure from their foreign counterparts. There will be no audience if the movies are terrible, but they could earn proceeds once they are screened. In such cases, movie theatres will suffer, so they should not resort to that measures during this tough time, he added. A number of movies having low quality in terms of cinematography and content suffered the same fate in 2021. ‘Cau Vang’ directed by Tran Vu Thuy and ‘Kieu’ produced by Mai Thu Huyen earned roughly VND2.7 billion (116,135 USD) and VND3.7 billion.  Producer Kay Nguyen said that cinemas give the most favourable time slots to popular films attributed to the films’ low box offices.

Let fate take its own course 

More difficulties are predicted for Vietnamese movies in early 2022 or even the year as a whole. As the pandemic goes rampant, movie theatres in various localities, including the capital city of Hanoi – the second-largest market in the country, remain closed.  Some producers projected that the pandemic poses a threat to places that have returned to normalcy like Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, more obstacles remain ahead for film producers.  Competition among Vietnamese movies will be fiercer in 2022 and the quality will be a decisive factor for a film, director Tran Huu Tan of Rung The Mang remarked. The Vietnamese survival film, which premiered on December 31, 2021, faced tough competition against ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, ‘The Matrix Resurrections, ‘Fast and Furious 9’, and ‘No Time to Die’ - the last James Bond movie featuring Daniel Craig. At present, some movies such as ‘Em Va Trinh’ and ‘Thanh Soi’ (Pain Changes People) are set to be released in March and April; while ‘1990’, ‘Chia Khoa Tram Ty’ and ‘Trang Ty Phieu Luu Ky’ may join the race during Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays.  Other films like '578: Phat Dan Cua Ke Dien’ (578 The Magnum) and ‘Bay Ngot Ngao’ have yet to announce their premiere dates.  Revealing the VND 17 billion losses that occurred from the suspension of the film release, director Luong Dinh Dung of 578 The Magnum said the delay prompts unwanted spending. The movie sector could not produce new works but still needs to settle payments, he said. As movie theatres in Hanoi and other northern localities will hardly be opened to the public in February, huge losses seem unavoidable. Dung said that the release date will hardly have an impact on box offices as people are showing concern about COVID-19, explaining that no one wants to risk going to see a movie if they might catch the virus./.