Hanoi (VNA) – “Dia Dao: Mat Troi Trong Bong Toi” (Tunnel: Sun in the Dark) grossed nearly 20 billion VND (approximately 770,000 USD) on April 7, marking an unprecedented milestone and setting the stage for director Bui Thac Chuyen to reach 100 billion VND in revenue in less than a week.
Nearly 200,000 tickets were sold on the day, earning 19.8 billion VND, according to Box Office Vietnam. To date, only the Hollywood blockbuster Avengers: Endgame and other films during Tet such as Gai Gia Lam Chieu 3 (The Last Egg 3) in 2020 broke through the revenue of 20 billion VND/day.
This marks an unprecedented achievement in Vietnamese cinema, as no purely historical or war-themed film has ever earned nearly 20 billion VND in a single day. The film also set a new record as the highest-grossing Vietnamese release during the Hung Kings’ Commemoration holiday, the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 7 this year.
The film benefited from star power and the meticulous production of the renowned filmmaker Bui Thac Chuyen, and along with its compelling theme, which distinguishes it from other titles in the market, according to a representative from Box Office Vietnam.
Data from Box Office Vietnam shows that, as of the end of April 7, the film reached around 80 billion VND, becoming one of the highest-grossing historical war films of all time in Vietnam. The film will certainly eclipse the 100 billion VND in the next two days.
Director Bui Thac Chuyen’s wartime film has become the talk of the town across the media and online forums. Images and clips from the movie have gone viral, and praise from critics and early viewers has helped the film dominate the box office with packed theaters.
The movie is inspired by a true story set after 1967. It recounts the fierce resistance against the US imperialists by a 21-member guerrilla unit led by Bay Theo (played by Thai Hoa) at the Binh An Dong base in Cu Chi.
Amidst the fierce battles, the film portrays stories of love, camaraderie, and self-sacrifice for a greater cause by the soldiers living underground, while above them, US forces rain down bombs and fire.
The work reproduces the wartime drama in documentary film style, with fictional characters and drama interlaced, reminding Vietnam's young people of the sacrifices of the past./.
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