Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -  After more than a year in production, thefull cast and crew for the film Kieu producedby Tincom Media were recently announced.

The movie is based on Truyen Kieu (theTale of Kieu) written by 18th century poet Nguyen Du, recognisedas one of the country’s top literary works. 

The epic poem has more than 3,200 verses recounting the life and trials over 15years of Kieu, a beautiful, talented young woman who had to sell herselfto save her family.

"Originally we planned to make a TV series of 40 episodes in 2010.However, that was replaced by the current 90-minute movie, saidproducer/director Mai Thu Huyen.

"Therefore, I chose one period in her life that I think has the mostattractive elements to put in the movie.

"The focus is on ThucSinh, someone who’s not only her saviour but is also deeply in love with Kieu.I want to attract the modern audience with a classic topic of all time,love." 

While the main characters are relatively new faces, those in the supportingroles have bigger names like People’s Artist Le Khanh, singer Phuong Thanh,actors Hieu Hien, Long Dep Trai, and model Le Thu An. 

The movie is produced by Mai Thu Huyen with the script written by Phi TienSon. 

The team, composed of more than 100 people, travelled across the countryfor two months for shooting, though the pandemic greatly affected theproduction process. 

Other artists involved include producer/director Huyen, Meritorious artistPhi Tien Son as scriptwriter/director of photography, executive producer Tran BuuLoc, designer Vi Ngoc Mai, costume designer Thuy Nguyen, and musicdirector Bui Huy Tuan.

With a voice deemed suitable for a historical drama soundtrack, singer Bui LanHuong was entrusted to perform the movie’s theme song titled Kieu Menh Khuc and the music video willcome out later this month.

Le Anh Huy, the main actor playing Thuc Sinh, is a Vietnamese-American. Wheninvited to join the casting, he rescheduled his plans to fly back to theUS.

After winning the role, he decided to quit his job as a hospital ultrasoundtechnician to be fully dedicated to the part.

“After having talked to the scriptwriter, Mr Phi Tien Son, I understood therole so much better and was fully immersed in being my character," Huysaid.

The movie will premiere on March 5./.