Seoul [South Korea], March 29: Set in a Catholic village in Tra Mây during the 1990s, Nguyễn Thien Ân (played by Đoan Thien Ân) falls in love with an electrician named An Thien (Khương Le). Their love is forbidden by her mother (People's Artist Le Khanh) because he is not of the same faith. To prove his love, the young man decides to leave and build a career, while she chooses to wait for him. From there, a series of events separates the couple.
Natural beauty without makeup
Unlike her role as a beautiful banh mì seller in The Billionaire's Kiss, which relied heavily on appearance, this time Thien Ân portrays a complex inner life, requiring restraint and emotional control in every small detail. In interviews, she shared that she went makeup-free to authentically reflect the character's personality.
Close-up shots become her strongest space to shine. Her eyes often carry a vague sadness, as if the character is constantly being pulled back into the past. In a church scene, as prayers echo but her mind drifts into memories, just a subtle lowering of her gaze is enough to express the conflict between faith and love.
In the reunion scene with An Thien after many years, the character does not burst into emotion but lets it slowly seep out, making the moment feel more real and touching. She doesn't force emotional intensity in every scene but instead controls the rhythm, allowing silence to speak.
When sharing the screen, Khương Le's performance at times reveals a gap. His character represents pure yet determined love, but his acting remains somewhat gentle and lacks breakthrough moments. Especially in scenes where he must prove his love against prejudice, his expressions feel somewhat symbolic and not strong enough to be fully convincing. Still, his appearance and demeanor-standing at 1.86 meters-fit well with the setting and character spirit.
Meanwhile, Le Khanh's portrayal of the mother leaves a strong impression with her experienced acting. The character is not written as a simple antagonist but as someone who believes she is protecting her daughter. This belief makes her decisions harsh and creates a long-lasting tragedy.
Strong points in visual storytelling
The film's visuals play a key role in supporting its emotional depth. With a background as a photographer, director Le Thiện Viễn continues to use imagery as a primary storytelling tool.
The Catholic village of Tra Mây is recreated with nostalgic beauty, from rural roads to the church setting. The lighting is handled softly, creating a sense of intimacy and memory. Wide shots, especially aerial views, expand the space and create a sense of immersion.
The image of the eclipse appears as a recurring symbol. When the light is obscured, the boundary between present and past becomes blurred. This moment is not only visually striking but also serves as a metaphor for the character's psychological state.
However, the film's first half sometimes feels disjointed, with a few moments leaning toward entertainment. The pacing only becomes more stable in the latter half, when visuals and emotions blend more seamlessly, allowing the film to find its own voice.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
