About Viet Nam News

Thursday, July 8, 2004

     

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.

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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