Cannes-winning film "Inside the Golden Cocoon" is being screened in Vietnam.

On May 28th, director Pham Thien An received the Golden Camera award for Best Debut Film at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 for his film *Inside the Golden Cocoon*. A debut feature film, made entirely by the talent and intellect of very young Vietnamese filmmakers, achieved a resounding victory at one of the world's oldest film festivals.

Director Pham Thien An's film tells the story of Thien bringing the remains of his sister-in-law, Hanh, back to their hometown after a motorcycle accident. At the same time, he must raise Dao, Hanh's son. After the funeral, Thien begins to recall memories of the past, where his youth and love quietly slipped away.

Pham Thien An dedicates the first 30 minutes of the film to introducing the character's living space, a suffocating and dangerous environment where people chase after frivolous things. Thien seeks refuge in massage parlors to escape the complex reality. Through filmmaking techniques, the director places the viewer within Thien's dreams and daily life, immersing them in the character's atmosphere and psychology.

The film is told in the style of a documentary, where each character has their own story. Pham Thien An weaves together each person's confessions, incorporating them into the main storyline. After providing the audience with sufficient information, the director leads them into a surreal world where the boundaries between reality and illusion gradually blur, thereby revealing what the director wants to create.

Religious themes permeate the work, from funeral prayers to Thien's reflections on trusting in God's love. During his journey from the city to the highlands, Thien confronts his past and inner conflict, his dissatisfaction with life. When faced with a faith he has long neglected, Thien has nothing to cling to, and his past resurfaces through flashbacks.

In the film, the weather shifts from dense fog and gloomy skies to heavy rain, symbolizing the uncertain and unclear journey of searching for faith. As the film ends, lingering questions and reflections remain in the viewer's mind: Is Thien searching for his brother or for himself? What is the purpose of human life?

International critics have given the film many positive reviews. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received a standing ovation of over five minutes. The International Cinephile Society commented that the film "will enchant audiences who dare to dedicate the time and thought to a surreal story."

ScreenDaily commented: "Inside the golden cocoon lies a mysterious and captivating work by Pham Thien An with the message: There are no easy answers to questions about existence. We can only seek them with kindness and a compassionate heart. Ultimately, faith is what remains on the journey to find the answers."

Inside the Golden Cocoon will officially premiere in theaters from August 11th. This is an opportunity for domestic audiences to enjoy a work that has been recognized by international critics, as well as directly support the talented "golden" generation of Vietnamese cinema.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai