Director Luong Dinh Dung: I want to create fear that cannot be guarded against

In his fourth film, director Luong Dinh Dung has just entered the horror genre. From observing the flow of horror films, he confidently brings a new story, where fear comes from surprise and lack of vigilance.

Director Luong Dinh Dung is the man behind the films: Father Carrying Son, 578 – The Madman's Bullet and Sleeping City . Each film has a different genre, theme and approach, although not really successful in terms of box office revenue, but shows the meticulousness in each frame and the effort to bring Vietnamese cinema abroad through participating in film festivals, film awards as well as promoting international distribution.

On the eve of the release of his 4th film, which is also his first horror film , The Hill of Torture: Return of the Black Heresy , he revealed about the film as well as his professional perspective.

Making films from "lived" experiences

Reporter : " The Hill of Torture: The Return of the Black Heresy" is a movie adapted from a work you wrote yourself?

* Director Luong Dinh Dung : The film is not adapted from a specific work. It is made up of 6,7 different stories that I wrote a long time ago, over many years. The script also had the participation of foreign experts in editing. For me, any film is formed from observations of life, with the collection of many details. This film is the result of a process of consideration and selection among many stories.

Director Luong Dinh Dung ventures into the horror film genre for the first time. Photo: FBNV

How did you develop the idea of ​​making the film?

* I always have many ideas to make horror films. Because I have lived through those experiences. I have heard many strange stories from 80, 90 year old people. Those echoes have helped me build the plot of the film.

With so many options, you must have thought a lot about putting them in the film?

* We carefully considered which story was suitable to be brought to the screen first. At this point, we chose The Hill of Torture: The Return of the Black Heresy because we found it the most suitable, both timely and different from the horror genre. I myself also observed the currents of horror films, not only in Vietnam but also in the world before making the decision.

With " Hurt Hill: The Black Heresy Returns", what is the unique quality you want to build to differentiate it from other works in the same horror genre?

* First, it is the material from folk tales. In my opinion, this will create mystery. For example, the image of the doll, the catfish, the mouse… are all associated with many mysterious stories. I want to create fear from the beautiful, familiar and even strange things. For me, the most terrible fear is when we are not alert. It is more frightening than anything we can see with our eyes.

Director Luong Dinh Dung and actors on set. Photo: Producer

Your films are often highly metaphorical in every frame. With this work, will you make it easier for the audience to understand?

* With this new work, there will still be layers of interpolation, but although it seems like a complicated story, in reality, I think the film is easy to feel, familiar and especially worth watching. Familiar yet strange is what I want to bring to this work.

Cinema must be aesthetic and have a unique story.

Looking at the works you have done, aesthetics are always emphasized. Do you always set high requirements for each frame?

* Actually, I always have the desire to bring Vietnamese cinema to the international level. Therefore, in general, we must set criteria to approach foreign countries. Each film is a Vietnamese story, but it must bring an experience through professional frames. Therefore, I always set high requirements. For me, cinema must meet aesthetic requirements and have a unique story. Cinema must simultaneously ensure authenticity and closeness, but must also achieve its aesthetic requirements.

Not really successful at the box office, do you think you lack a bit of luck?

* People often say I'm stubborn. Maybe I have to go through things like that to create works that have my own mark. I believe the audience will understand and share with me.

One of the scenes of the movie Torture Hill: The Black Heresy Returns. Photo: Producer

After Torture Hill: The Black Heresy Returns , how is your next project - the movie Hero - progressing?

* We are trying to start filming Hero next year. We have the script and have selected some actors. There are still many things to do to make it happen and we have to ensure the safety of the project, it cannot be done just because we like it.

Thanks for the chat!

VAN TUAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dao-dien-luong-dinh-dung-toi-muon-tao-ra-su-so-hai-khong-the-canh-giac-post813193.html