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Dao
Van Bich (left) and Minh Tiep in a scene of the film. |
New
TV crime series enters gay territory
A novel
about the lives of gay men set in Viet Nam that has taken readers
by surprise has now been made into a TV series.
Mot The Gioi
Khong Co Dan Ba (A World Without Women) by former crime journalist
Bui Anh Tan, which won first prize in the For The Nation’s Peace
and Security writing competition 2002, is being presented in a
10-episode format, as part of the Viet Nam Television’s Crime
Police series.
"It is
a famous crime novel, which has gained readers’ attention for
exploring this sensitive theme," screenwriter Thuy Linh, who
adapted the novel for screen, explained.
"Moreover,
mass media has mentioned much about the world of gay people but
there have not been any films made about it."
Directed by
Vu Minh Tri, Mot The Gioi Khong Co Dan Ba focuses on the lives of
different gay and straight men.
The
mysterious death of Bang, a famous scientist, means Trung, a
policeman, has to go undercover as a gay man to enter the world of
crime.
Along with
his colleagues, Trung finds himself trying to solve a case in an
unfamiliar environment ‘without women’.
He
encounters Hoang, a gay man, who he gets along with so much Trung
sometimes becomes confused and wonders if he might in fact be gay
too.
"Generally,
the novel’s plot remains but it is difficult to show some scenes
on screen," said writer Bui Anh Tan.
He further
explains if the novel revealed more about the lives of gay people
using the narrative of a criminal case, then the film focuses more
on the criminal aspect.
However,
some shocking scenes will be limited due to the sensitive theme,
according to screenwriter Thuy Linh.
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Controversial
criminal: A scene from A World Without Women. — VNS File
Photos |
Gay people
in the film are also diversified – some people wear make-up in a
feminine manner, while others look more masculine but are only
interested in men.
"Like
Hoang’s character, it took me a long time to find a proper
actor," said director Vu Minh Tri explaining how difficult it
was to cast the film.
"I
talked with some fashion models but they were all reluctant after
several phone calls. Finally, I chose Dao Van Bich, recently
graduated from the acting school of Television Film Studio. And I
am happy with my decision."
To take the
role, Bich had to spend a lot of time integrating and mixing
within the world of gay people at bars or discotheques.
"It’s
an interesting but difficult role," Bich said. "And I
don’t care much about what other people think of me. Moreover,
it’s good to know about other worlds, which exist right next to
us."
Other actors
in the film are fashion model Minh Tiep, Duc Hiep and Phan Anh.
Mot The Gioi
Khong Co Dan Ba will be shown on Viet Nam Television this month.
— VNS
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