ABOUT THE FILM

LONG SYNOPSIS

Set in 1980s Saigon, well before the U.S. embargo on Vietnam was lifted in 1994, SONG LANG depicts a gritty underworld whose only source of brightness comes from the gorgeous stage productions of a local opera troupe.

A hunky, brooding debt collector forms an unlikely friendship with the charismatic lead actor of the struggling company, and their friendship, to their surprise, awakens feelings in both men.

“Song Lang” is a percussion instrument used to control tempo and phrasing in Vietnamese modern folk opera. In the Vietnamese language, it also means “two men.”

It is the perfect homonym for a nearly perfect film.

This film is an outstanding achievement for first-time feature director Leon Le—who also voices the part of the lead actor in the opera!

To date, this film has racked up 25 awards in a wide variety of categories: best narrative feature, screenplay, cinematography, production design, costume design. Festivals in Asia have also recognized newcomer Lien Bahn Phat, who makes his acting debut in this film as the debt collector Dung ‘Thunderbolt,’ as a rising star.

Director Leon Le

Writers Leon Le, Nguyễn ThỊ Minh Ngọc

Producers Ngô Thanh Vân, Irene Trinh

Editor Leon Le

Cinematographer Bob Nguyen

Production Designer Ghia Fam

Music Tôn Thất An

Cast Issac, Liên Bỉnh Phát, Kiều Trinh, Tú Quyên, Thanh Tú, Xuân Hiệp, Thạch Kim Long, Hữu Quốc, Lệ Thi, Kim Phương, Bảo Xuyên, Cát Vy

FESTIVALS
2018: Tokyo International Film Festival (World Premiere)

AWARDS
Gemstone Award / Rising Star (Tokyo International), ACS Award, Feature Cinema and Judges’ Choice (Australian Cinematographer Society), Face of the Year Award, Best Actor, Best Feature, Best Production Design (Today TV), VCA Award, Best Actor, Best Production/Costume Design, Best Feature (Ho Chi Minh City Cinema Association), Samir Farid Award, Best Feature (Sharm El Sheik Asian), Golden Kit, Best Cinematography, Best Leading Actor, Best Feature Film (Vietnam Cinema Association), Audience Choice (San Diego Asian), Forward Future Award, Best Director (Beijing International), Best Screenplay (ASEAN International), Special Jury Award (Los Angeles Asian Pacific), Director of Photography of the Year and Golden Tripod for Features-Cinema (Australian Cinematographer Society), Audience Choice Award (Tel Aviv LGBT), Audience Award (Frameline), Audience Award (New York Asian), Audience Award and Emerging Director (Asian American International), Best Cinematography (Fargo Moorhead LGBT)

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Blu-Ray