How did you react when you won your award at the Festival de Cannes?

Everything happened so fast that I didn’t have time to organize my thoughts or figure out what was going on. After that, I felt excited, emotional and proud to be able to bring Vietnamese films to the world. It felt both real and virtual. I didn’t believe I had won the award until the next day, when I received many congratulations and interviews from Vietnam. You ask yourself a big question: why did your movie receive this big award? Of course there will be a big pressure to make the next movie.

What has your award brought you?

It gave me an opportunity, opened a new direction for me to further develop my film career, helped me confirm and reaffirm the style I chose to make the film. It also helped me meet many different people: from film industry professionals to movie lovers all over the world. Thanks to those meetings I have been motivated and inspired to continue my path. I also have the feeling that winning this award partly inspires Vietnamese cinema to be more vibrant and active.

This award could have changed my current position, helping me gain a new foothold in the film industry in the world as well as in Vietnam, giving me more conditions and foundation to continue my path. But on the other hand, it also puts pressure on me, how to maintain and further develop what I already have.

What are your best memories of Cannes?

I was able to bring the actors and most of my crew (about 25 people) to attend the first movie premiere. It was even happier to share wonderful moments with them after the awards night at the After Party, holding the award in hand, walking around the streets of Cannes with your crew and receiving congratulations from everyone around you.

Do you have new projects?

I’m still working on ideas, and trying to develop those ideas while still maintaining my style. Of course, my next film will still be about Vietnam.