Fremantle’s Beach House Pictures to Adapt Classic Vietnamese Novel ‘Dumb Luck’

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As a seasoned gamer with an extensive background in Asian cinema, I can hardly contain my excitement for this upcoming film adaptation of “Dumb Luck” (Số đỏ). Having grown up with stories from various corners of Asia, I’ve always been captivated by their rich cultural tapestry and the profound insights they offer into society.

On Thursday, Fremantle and their Singaporean production company Beach House Pictures announced a collaboration with Vietnam’s Anh Teu Studio for the film adaptation of the 1936 Vietnamese satirical novel, “Số đỏ” by Vũ Trọng Phụng. This project is set to unfold in the vibrant world of Asian cinema.

Filmmaker Phan Gia Nhật Linh (known for “Em Va Trinh,” “The Girl From Yesterday,” and “Sweet 20”) is set to write, direct, and produce the feature adaptation. Lê Thanh Phong, Yuno Choi, and Vũ Quỳnh Hà have been confirmed as producers. The renowned Vietnamese singer Mono will take on the significant role of Red-Haired Xuân in this story.

The story synopsis for the project titled “Dumb Luck” goes like this: “Set in the 1930s Vietnam, a time of significant societal changes with the end of French colonial rule and the rise of Vietnamese nationalist and reformist groups, all while global consumer culture was gaining prominence. The movie chronicles the improbable and amusing escapades of Red-Haired Xuân, a dishonest vagabond, as he ascends from poverty to high society, earning fame as the symbol of the country’s Europeanization movement.

The novel “Dumb Luck” was prohibited from 1954 to 1986 in Vietnam due to its explicit portrayals of sexuality. However, it has continued to be a widely debated and revered satirical work within the country, delivering a sharp criticism of the hypocrisies prevalent in late colonialist society. A passage from the book titled “The Happiness of a Family in Mourning” is included in the mandatory literature syllabus for all Vietnamese public high schools. The book has been translated globally, but Fremantle’s new initiative marks its first film adaptation.

Writer/director Linh expressed great joy about sharing this remarkable Vietnamese tale with global viewers,” stated Linh.

Christian Vesper, CEO of Fremantle’s Global Drama and Film division, expressed his enthusiasm about their initial film partnership with Beach House Pictures, as well as ATS. He is thrilled that they can bring such a renowned novel to life. Linh is an exceptional director, and the movie ‘Dumb Luck’ underscores their dedication to nurturing top-tier talent within the international film industry.

Conor Zorn, who leads Beach House’s scripted division, stated: “The biting satire and profound themes of class struggle and division in ‘Dumb Luck’, penned by renowned Vietnamese author Vu Trong Phung, continue to echo powerfully in our contemporary society. We are delighted to collaborate with one of Vietnam’s top storytellers, director Linh, to transform this exceptional narrative into a big-screen production.

The film titled “Dumb Luck” will be a joint production between studios from Vietnam, Korea, and Singapore, primarily spearheaded by Anh Teu Studio, Sidus Entertainment, and Teu Entertainment (SATE). This project is also collaboratively developed with Beach House Pictures.

This production is spearheaded by Yuno Choi from Sidus and Teu Entertainment, Le Thanh Phong from A Viet Media, Vu Quynh Ha from CJ HK Entertainment, and Phan Gia Nhat Linh from Anh Teu Studio. The Executive Producers include Conor Zorn, Donovan Chan, and Jocelyn Little from Beach House Pictures; Christian Vesper and Simon Judd from Fremantle; and Handae Rhee from Sidus. The film is slated for distribution by CJ CGV in Vietnam.

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2024-12-05 13:24