Kung Fu Pho set to tickle funny bones in HCM City

A comedy film about pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) will be released in cinemas later this month.
A comedy film about pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) will be released in cinemas later this month.

Producedby Skyline Media, a provide film studio in Ho Chi Minh City, titledKung Fu Pho, narrates the story of a woman and her family struggling tobecome a famous pho seller.

The oldest daughter of a pho seller,Co Co (played by My Duyen) has to earn a living from a very young age.She helps her father at his pho shop before spending time and money tolearn the art of cooking the tasty dish.

Battling against the odds, she becomes a famous pho vendor.

Thefilm's director, Nguyen Quoc Duy, worked for over a year to completeKung Fu Pho, from writing the script to building a film studio for hisproduction.

More than 20 popular artists, including Diem My, Hoang Son, My Uyen and Mai Son, are featured in the film.

Thedirector and his staff travelled to several areas in HCM City and theMekong Delta provinces of Vinh Long and Can Tho, to get an insight intothe country's traditional lifestyle and cuisine.

"To entertainyoung audiences, my film includes both comedy and kung-fu scenes," saidDuy, who is famous for his horror films like Chung Cu Ma (Hunted House)and Ngu Voi Ma (Sleeping with the Ghost).

"Through my film, I wanted to introduce a taste of pho to the world," he said.

Duy invited movie star Duyen to play in his film because "she has both beauty and performance to meet my requirement".

Duyen returned to the wide screen by working with Duy after eight years of being involved in the theatre.

"Kung Fu Pho encouraged my love for the film," said Duyen.

Duyen was sent to study ballet at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1982.

In 1990 she returned and worked as a free-lance dancer for several dance troupes in HCM City.

Herfirst role on the screen was a young girl in Vi Dang Tinh Yeu (TheBitterness of Love) directed by Le Hoang in 1993. Her performance left astrong impression on both critics and audiences.

She later wasinvited to perform in quality films, such as Bang Qua Bong Toi (Throughthe Dark), Luoi Dao (The Knife) and Gai Nhay (Bar Girl), by Hoang, oneof the country's most talented directors.

She won three top prizes for best actress at national film festivals in 1993, 1995 and 2004.

In 2007, she began work for the IDECAF Drama Stage.-VNA

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