Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Two Vietnamese-flavored films in prominent festival slots this year have put the spotlight on the country’s emerging indie cinema scene.
A discussion in Busan on Saturday highlighted the sector’s behind-the-scenes struggles, which center on ever-changing financing options, limited distribution and censorship. “Now is the best time to be a Southeast Asia filmmaker.
We can now produce without Europe. That was not possible ten years ago,” said Bianca Balbuena, the Philippines-based lead producer on “Viet and Nam” the Truong Minh Quy-directed gay drama that debuted in Cannes this year. “More people are getting opportunities to make films.
Festivals are starting up in Vietnam too But still there is a discrepancy between festival aspirations and the reality for independent filmmakers,” said Truong in a video message. “Censorship is too heavy.
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