Lookatvietnam - The blockbuster movie Huyen Thoai Bat Tu (The Legend Is Alive) is in the running for a Golden Kite award from the Viet Nam Cinematography Association.

A publicity still from Dep Tung Centimet.

The Legend Is Alive is a joint production between Phuoc Sang Studio production, Sai Gon Media and Wonder Boy Entertainment. It was made with a budget of more than VND10 billion (US$580,000).

The movie was directed by overseas Vietnamese director Luu Huynh. The leading role was played by another overseas Vietnamese, actor Dustin Nguyen.

This is the first time a largely foreign-made film has been short-listed for a Golden Kite award, according to the organising board.

Foreign investment in joint productions must account for 51 per cent of the film’s total budget to be considered for an award.

From February 15, the association will start choosing winners in categories like cinematography, televised works, research and theoretical and critical works.

The award ceremony will be held on March 14 at the Cultural Palace in Ha Noi. The gold award will go to the most sophisticated, professional work in each category. Two silver awards and three encouragement kites will be given to the best works.

Individual prizes will not longer be awarded to artists in jointly made films. Last year, the movie Ha Noi, Ha Noi earned Chinese actress Gan Ting Ting the Golden Kite for best actress in a leading role.

The nominees for Golden Kite awards this year are: Trang Noi Day Gieng (Moon at the Bottom of the Well) by director Vinh Son; Dung Dot Trong Do Da Co Lua (Don’t Burn, It Has Fire in It Already) by Dang Nhat Minh; Choi Voi (Lonely) by Thac Chuyen; Giai Cuu Than Chet (Save the Death) by Quang Dung; Dep Tung Centimet (Beautiful to the Last Centimetre) by Vu Ngoc Dang and Huyen Thoai Bat Tu (The Legend Is Alive) by Luu Huynh.

VietNamNet/VNS