Beyond War Stories: Star Nhà Ease Returns to Reframe Vietnamese Cinema

3 July – 26 August 2025

Rich Mix (London) · CULTPLEX (Manchester) · MAC (Birmingham) ·The Garden Cinema (London)

Free exhibition | Rewind & Reframe (3 July – 12 August, Rich Mix)

Following an acclaimed debut in 2024, Star Nhà Ease returns as the UK’s only film season dedicated to Vietnamese cinema. Curator‑producer Tuyết‑Vân Huỳnh centres this edition on the late‑1980s/1990s “Đổi Mới” boom, when fast‑moving melodramas, nicknamed phim mì ăn liền (instant‑noodle films), captured the energy of a newly open society.

Breaking the War Film Mould

For too long, Vietnamese cinema in the West has been viewed through a single lens: war. But curator Tuyết Vân Huỳnh and her team are shifting that narrative completely. "We're moving from a focus on resistance to one of reinvention," explains Tuyết. "We're shifting from the tropes of trauma to stories of tenderness, absurdity, and pleasure."

This season dives deep into the post-renovation period that birthed a fresh cinematic language, one full of joy, romance, humour, and urban reflections of a rapidly changing society. These films were made quickly and boldly, capturing everything that war films typically didn't: youth, love, identity, and unapologetically human stories.

The Films You Need to Know

Hát Giữa Chiều Mưa (Singing in the Rainy Afternoon, 1990) opens the season, a stunning Đổi Mới-era melodrama that's never been released publicly, not even in Vietnam. This hidden gem follows Mai, a young woman who loses her sight but clings to her love for music and forgiveness, culminating in a whimsical musical finale in the rain.

Gái nhảy (Bar Girls, 2002) shattered taboos when it hit screens, diving into the lives of young women navigating Vietnam's sex and club scene with raw honesty. At a time when such topics were forbidden, this breakout hit confronted societal changes through an unfiltered lens.

Những đứa trẻ trong sương (Children of the Mist, 2021) brings us to the present with an intimate documentary following 12-year-old Di, a Hmong girl grappling with bride kidnapping traditions. It's a powerful story of resistance and autonomy that also wrestles with documentary ethics itself.

Q&A with Curator Tuyết Vân Huỳnh

We caught up with festival director and curator Tuyết Vân Huỳnh to dig deeper into what makes this season special.

The Rewind & Reframe exhibition focuses on rarely-seen Vietnamese film heritage. What sparked the idea for this visual component?

"Honestly, it all began with the posters. I've always collected Vietnamese film posters, and when two illustrators joined our curatorial development team, it became clear that design would play a central role in our storytelling. Some of the films we're showcasing had no promotional material at all – nothing survived or was created – so having the budget and creative license to commission original artwork felt not just necessary but urgent. These posters are more than promotional tools; they're acts of cultural memory."

Many of these works were stored on fragile formats. Can you share a restoration success story?

"One of the most remarkable efforts I came across was the restoration of Đặng Nhật Minh's film, spearheaded by filmmaker Gerald Herman. It wasn't just a technical feat – it was a labour of deep love and relentless persistence. Gerald tracked down the lost negative, navigated layers of bureaucracy, and worked directly with Minh himself. He told me about finally getting the reels out of Vietnam and into a lab in Bangkok, only to find them nearly unsalvageable – brittle, mould-ridden, and deteriorated by time. But with care, they cleaned, scanned, and colour-corrected them under Minh's supervision. That restoration wasn't just about the image; it was about preserving a piece of our soul that almost disappeared."

You've noticed regional differences in how UK audiences connect with these films. Tell us about that.

"London is easier for attracting numbers, but in Season 1, it was actually our screenings in the Midlands and Liverpool, though smaller in attendance, that left a lasting impact. The post-screening Q&As were some of the most thoughtful, generous, and deeply engaged conversations we've had. It reminded us that meaningful connection doesn't depend on numbers alone. That's why it was important for us to return to these regions in Season 2."

What's the biggest challenge in working with Southeast Asian archives?

"It took years to gain access and permission. We're talking about a state-owned building holding over 88,000 reels, many deteriorating, and very little infrastructure for public access. It's not just about policy; it's about politics, preservation, and persistence. My biggest piece of advice? Build relationships. Be patient. Be respectful. And know that you're in it for the long haul."

What do you want people to know about Star Nhà Ease?

"This work is deeply personal. It's about legacy and visibility. It's about making space for Vietnamese stories to thrive, in all their messiness, beauty, and nuance. Star Nhà Ease isn't just a film season. It's a reclamation. A reconnection. A reminder that our stories matter, and that they deserve to be seen not through the gaze of the West, not through war, but as we are: tender, angry, hilarious, complicated, alive."

More Than Just Screenings

What sets Star Nhà Ease apart isn't just the films; it's the ecosystem they've built around them. Each screening comes alive with live musical responses from artists like Croydon-based Nammy Wams and Greenwich composer Shirley Ly, plus poetry performances from award-winning voices like Natalie Linh Bolderston.

The season also debuts "Rewind & Reframe," a visual arts exhibition at Rich Mix featuring newly commissioned artworks reimagining Vietnamese film posters. These aren't just promotional tools; they're acts of cultural memory, honouring lost aesthetics and reviving neglected visual languages.

Why This Matters Now

In the last five to six years, more Vietnamese voices have begun emerging in the arts, shaping narratives on their own terms. Star Nhà Ease remains the only season in the UK fully dedicated to Vietnamese cinema and storytelling, creating space where the community can feel not just seen, but central.

The title itself, "Star Nhà Ease", reflects this intention. Combining Vietnamese and English in a gesture toward code-switching, it represents the layered identity that doesn't have to be explained, just felt. "Star" suggests guidance and cinematic stardom, "nhà" grounds the festival in home and belonging, and "ease" offers the possibility of familiarity, even when the stories are new.

Catch It While You Can

Star Nhà Ease Season 2 runs from July 3rd through August 26th across multiple venues. Beyond the films themselves, you're witnessing the building of something bigger – a reclamation, a reconnection, a reminder that Vietnamese stories deserve to be seen not through external gazes, but as they are: tender, angry, hilarious, complicated, alive.

As Tuyết puts it: "We're not just building a season. We're building a home."

Star Nhà Ease Season 2 runs July 3 - August 26, 2025.

Programme highlights

Date	City	Highlight
3 July – 12 Aug	London	Rewind & Reframe – a free foyer exhibition at Rich Mix that unwraps VHS covers, personal photos and poster art from Vietnam’s home-video boom.
3 July	London	Opening gala screening of The Tolls of Affection (1995) with a live score by Hà Trần and guest Q&A.
11 July	Manchester (CULTPLEX)	Star Shorts – six new female-directed films exploring city life and club culture in Hồ Chí Minh City.
20 July	Birmingham (MAC)	Family matinee of The Legend of a Mother (1987) followed by Vietnamese snack tasting.

For full program details and bookings, visit Rich Mix (London) · CULTPLEX (Manchester) · MAC (Birmingham) ·The Garden Cinema (London) or follow @starnhaease on social media.