New Vietnamese horror-comedy movie soon to be released abroad

Entitled Làm Giàu Với Ma (Betting with Ghost), the movie will be launched in cinema theatres nationwide on August 30, right before the National Day holiday, before being screened in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei and Taiwan (China).

Produced by Bluebells Studios, the movie tells a humorous story of a wealth-making deal between a man and a ghost. Added to the narrative of actual deal, it reveals many secrets of a father-and-son relationship between Lanh (played by Tuan Tran) and Mr. Dao (played by veteran actor Hoai Linh).

Creative producer Vo Nguyen Dan has revealed that the inspiration for the movie stemmed from the unique role of a coffin bearer. These individuals are responsible for caring for and decorating the deceased, ensuring they reach their final resting place with dignity, but they are also believed to possess the ability to connect with the underworld.

The film delves into these spiritual elements, exploring the quest for wealth through supernatural means. However, this journey comes with significant challenges and the protagonist, Lanh, faces a series of arduous trials, underscoring that every pursuit has its price.

Talking about the decision to choose Hoai Linh to the play the role of Mr. Dao, movie director Nguyen Nhat Trung said that Linh was his top choice because of his dedication and immersive acting ability.

“Viewers will feel many meanings through the character of Mr. Dao,” Trung said.

To portray Lanh, a young man driven by a desire to gamble and become wealthy, actor Tuan Tran watched online clips and spoke with individuals experienced in cockfighting to prepare for the role.

In the movie, his character Lanh strikes a deal with a ghost (portrayed by Diep Bao Ngoc) to limit his earnings to 30 million đồng per day and if the amount is exceeded, his family members suffer accidents.

Money can't be found and Lanh and his father, Mr. Đào, face numerous hardships. Lanh falls deeper into debt, is beaten and has his house seized by gangsters. His father was both angry and saddened by these events. Is there another secret behind Lanh’s transformation? Why does the ghost assist Lanh in making money? The unresolved mysteries and the relationship between Mr. Đào and his son promise to deliver fascinating and emotional twists in Betting with Ghost.

Tuấn Trần hopes that the character Lanh will be even greater than his previous role of Wắn in Bố Già (The Father, 2021) and Út Lục Lâm in Đất Rừng Phương Nam (Song of the South, 2023).

Director Trung said that he wanted to create a ghost character that is relatable and emotionally compelling for the audience, rather than a typical supernatural entity. By imbuing the ghost character with human-like emotions and an authentic, natural performance, the filmmaker hopes to get the audience to see the ghost as a sympathetic figure.

After the launch in Vietnam, the movie will be released directly in five Asian countries and territories including Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The distributor of Betting with Ghost for international markets is Mockingbird Pictures – a HCM City-based film production and distribution company, which has had several Asian hit movies in Vietnam, including the Thailand’s Death Whisperer (Tee Yod), the Republic of Korea’s Concrete Utopia, Exhuma and Honey Sweet.