Vietnamese film wins international prize

The film “Dao cua dan ngu cu” (or ‘The Way Station’) by director Hong Anh was honored on November 11, with the Efebo D’Oro Miglior film tratto da un libro (Best film based on a book) at the International Efebo d'Oro (Golden Efebo) Award’ award ceremony.

A scene from the film “The Way Station”
A scene from the film “The Way Station”

The International Efebo d’Oro Award, which is organised by the Research Centre for Cinema and Narrative, was started in November 1978 to counter the decline of cinema due to television. From its foundation to 2013, the prize’s ceremony was hosted in the city of Agrigento, then it was moved to Palermo, Italy.

Every year, the Efebo d’Oro awards a filmmaker for the best film based on a literary work. The prize has also been officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Heritage and Culture.

Earlier, the film ‘The Way Station’ received eight nominations at the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards. It was also honored with the "Best Film” Award, “Best Actor” for Pham Hong Phuoc and “Best Director of Photography” for People’s Artists Ly Thai Dung at the ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA Award) 2017 in Malaysia.

It was honoured with the Special Jury Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival 2017.

In addition, it also was screened on the Vietnam Night at the 70th Cannes Film Festival and during a Vietnamese movie week in Spain, May 2017.

The movie is adapted from writer Do Phuoc Tien’s story titled “Dao cua dan ngu cu” depicting the confusion and uncertainty of the characters in their journey to look for happiness and the meaning of life.