On August 9, Vietnamese cinema made its fourth appearance at the Box Office Around the World summer film programme in Berlin, Germany, screening Director Thang Vu’s “Mesdames Thanh Sac” at the Humboldt Forum. The cultural showcase bridges cultural divides, introducing international audiences to urban Vietnamese history.
Humboldt Forum Hosts 1960s Saigon Drama
Berlin’s cultural calendar welcomed a distinct slice of Southeast Asian history earlier this week as the Humboldt Forum hosted the screening of Director Thang Vu’s feature, “Mesdames Thanh Sac.” According to Vietnam News Agency reports, the event marked the fourth time that contemporary Vietnamese filmmaking secured a spot in the Box Office Around the World summer film lineup. Previous editions featured titles such as Tran Thanh’s “The House of No Man,” Bui Thac Chuyen’s “Glorious Ashes,” and the collaborative effort “My Best Friend’s Wedding” by Nguyen Quang Dung and Diep The Vinh.
This year’s selection plunges viewers directly into the vibrant, high-stakes atmosphere of 1960s Saigon. The narrative follows two women navigating the city’s complex entertainment industry, examining universal themes of personal ambition, romance, power struggles, and defining life choices. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Hong Anh, Thanh Hang, and Luong The Thanh, the production stands out for its meticulous costume design and elaborate set recreations.
Here is why that matters for cinephiles: the film captures a pivotal transitional era in urban Vietnamese history through sensory-rich depictions of period nightclubs, dynamic lighting choreography, and tense nightlife sequences. But there is a deeper layer to the presentation beyond the aesthetics.
Curatorial Vision and Transnational Cultural Bridges
Before the house lights dimmed in central Berlin, audiences engaged directly with industry insiders during a pre-screening panel. Director Ngo Ngoc Duc joined co-curators Dorothee Wenner and Truong Hong Quang to unpack the artistic methodologies behind stories rooted deeply in Vietnamese history, culture, and urban life.
Co-curator Truong Hong Quang explained that the Box Office Around the World initiative deliberately curates recent cinematic works that achieve success in their domestic markets yet lack broad distribution channels across Germany. By showcasing these features, the programme functions as a vital cultural bridge. It invites German, Vietnamese-diaspora, and international spectators alike to explore the multifaceted diversity of modern Vietnam through the lens of its artists.
Global Cinematic Lineup and International Resonance
The summer showcase is not an isolated cultural exchange.
| Featured Country | Highlighted Film/Context | Exhibition Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | “Mesdames Thanh Sac” (Dir. Thang Vu) | Humboldt Forum, Berlin |
| Thailand | Selected Regional Feature | Box Office Around the World |
| Argentina | Selected Regional Feature | Box Office Around the World |
| Nigeria | Selected Regional Feature | Box Office Around the World |
| Brazil | Selected Regional Feature | Box Office Around the World |
| India | Selected Regional Feature | Box Office Around the World |
Speaking with Vietnam News Agency reporters after the screening, co-curator Dorothee Wenner offered high praise for the film’s production values. Wenner noted that the atmospheric music, intricate choreography, and robust characterizations successfully transported European viewers to an era that even many younger citizens inside Vietnam might find challenging to visualize today. She added that the film’s exploration of resilient, strong-minded female characters possesses a universal quality capable of deeply resonating with German audiences.
