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The film "Battle in the Air," a special project produced by the People's Police Film Studio in collaboration with Galaxy Group, has officially premiered, offering audiences a thrilling action story inspired by the real-life hijacking incident of 1978.
Directed by Le Nhat Quang (Ham Tran), the film recreates flight DC-4/501 carrying over 60 passengers from Da Nang to Buon Ma Thuot, where just minutes after takeoff, it was hijacked by four armed terrorists. During those 52 minutes of life and death, both the crew and passengers faced danger and the reckless hijackers, leaving a tragic mark on the history of Vietnamese aviation.
"Battle in the Air" is inspired by a real hijacking incident in Vietnam in 1978.
The film "Death Battle in the Air" is inspired by a real event in Vietnam in 1978, not long after the country was completely liberated.
According to director Ham Tran, the airplane setting in the film was recreated from a real aircraft, incorporating CGI (cinematic image manipulation), but most of the sets were built to scale. The producers invested heavily in a life-sized model of the aircraft, complete with interior and a rotating wheel system to create realistic vibration effects. In this space, the cast took turns practicing and performing many action scenes themselves without stunt doubles, providing the best immersive experience and dramatic, vivid footage without overusing special effects.
Flight DC-4/501 from Da Nang to Buon Ma Thuot was hijacked by an armed group just minutes after takeoff, plunging 60 passengers and the entire crew into 52 minutes of peril.
A battle of wits and mysterious puzzle pieces.
From the very first scenes, "Battle in the Air" establishes a tense and dramatic atmosphere. Beginning with cheerful music from the post-1975 era, flight HVN 602 seems to promise a peaceful journey, where passengers, including security guard Binh (Thanh Son) on their way to welcome their soon-to-be-born child, are full of hope. But in the blink of an eye, the moment the warning light comes on signals the start of a series of chaotic events. A group of hijackers led by Long (Thai Hoa), along with Ti (Vo Dien Gia Huy), Dan (Ray Nguyen), and Suu (Bao Dinh), unleash terror on the plane.
This hijacking incident shook the history of Vietnamese aviation, leaving many survivors with both physical injuries and psychological trauma.
The film's tension stems not only from its fast-paced action sequences but also from the subtly embedded mysteries. Each character carries their own story, an unrevealed secret. From their pensive gazes and bewildered expressions to the knife hidden in their sleeves and the meaningful handshake between the two passengers, everything hints at a complex conspiracy. The film not only explores the struggle between good and evil but also delves into the psychology of both sides. The detail of Long advising his accomplice, "If you want to change your life, you have to fight," reveals the hidden motives behind their brutality.
The theme of hijacking, while familiar to filmgoers and having appeared in numerous international works, remains relatively new on the Vietnamese big screen, as no filmmaker has yet chosen to explore it.
The cast shines and the message is deeply humanistic.
The film brings together a talented cast, from box office stars like Thai Hoa and Kaity Nguyen to promising young actors such as Thanh Son, Vo Dien Gia Huy, Tran Ngoc Vang, Ma Ran Do, Loi Tran, Tram Anh, and Xuan Van... Although they only appear in brief scenes, each character leaves a lasting impression.
At this point, the context of the domestic aviation industry in the early years after the country's reunification is gradually being depicted before the audience. Airport security procedures and processes at that time were rudimentary and lax, inadvertently creating loopholes that criminals could exploit.
The contrast between the two opposing sides is clearly shown through the performances of Thai Hoa and Kaity Nguyen. While Thai Hoa embodies Long "the Cripple" with a cold, ruthless, and complex gaze, Kaity Nguyen portrays the extreme fear of flight attendant Trinh. However, despite their panic, the two flight attendants in their traditional ao dai dresses still show unwavering determination and resilience. The moving scene where Trinh says through tears, "No matter what happens to me, no matter what you hear, don't open the door!" demonstrates the courage and willingness to sacrifice of the flight crew.
Ham Tran cleverly presents an appetizer, activating suspense in viewers very early on, before leading them onto the fateful flight where the main events of the film unfold.
"Battle in the Air" is more than just an action film. Through recreating a little-known historical event, the work also portrays the courage and unwavering will of Vietnamese air security soldiers in their mission to protect human lives and the skies of the Fatherland. Major General Do Trieu Phong, Director of the Public Security Communication Department, affirmed that the film's release on the important 80th anniversary of the country is a way to pay tribute to the previous generations who created the values for today's generation to follow.
The film has a fast pace, focusing on building suspense with a series of thrilling events that constantly appear, delivering a high dose of adrenaline to the viewer. Fear is awakened in the cramped space of a commercial airplane.
With its thrilling pace, visually stunning action sequences, and compelling performances from the cast, the film promises to deliver a captivating and meaningful cinematic experience. For the first time, a real-life plane hijacking is recreated on the big screen, not just for entertainment, but to tell a story of courage, sacrifice, and the heroic spirit of ordinary people in a life-or-death battle in the skies.
