HCM City studios vie for holiday patrons Private film producers in HCM City are working hard to release new productions for the festive season during Tet (Lunar New Year), creating a stiff competition in domestic market.  Thien Ngan Film Studio spends VND17 billion (US$800,000) on their first 3D production, My Nhan Ke (Beauty Trap). (Photos Galaxy Studio) Leading companies Thien Ngan (Galaxy) Film Studio and Phuoc Sang now must compete with newcomers in the market, Century Star and Song Vang Production. According to Song Vang Production, the firm's Nha Co Nam Nang Tien (Family with Five Fairies) has been successful because of its comedic flair. Also, the large cast of famous performers and singers has helped to sell more tickets. The film depicts the lives of five beautiful girls who are all orphaned and poor but later become famous singers and fashion models. They face many challenges to fulfill their dreams. To guarantee the film's success, the producer has invited well-known comedians Hoai Linh and Viet Huong, both involved in the theatre at home and abroad, to play leading roles. Directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, the film is expected to become a blockbuster during the holiday season. The film's biggest competitor is My Nhan Ke (Beauty Trap) by Thien Ngan Film Studio. Spending VND17 billion (US$800,000) on their first 3D production, the company hopes the film "will hit record ticket sales this Tet", said its director Dinh Thi Huong said. My Nhan Ke features kung-fu action scenes and funny dialogue. "We predict that comedies will be big hits with youngsters who are looking for more lighthearted entertainment," said Huong. "We decided to invest in a 3D film because we want to add something different to a market dominated by Hollywood and Korean films," she added. Although Thien Ngan owns three cinema complexes and is experienced in both producing and distributing, they have been working with BHD, the owner of two cinema complexes, to release their film during the Tet holiday. Unlike Thien Ngan, Song Vang faced challenges in releasing its Nha Co Nam Nang Tien. "We had to work hard to make a deal with Cinebox, one of the city's prestigious film distributors, to show our film in cinemas," Bich Lien, general director of the company, said. Two more action and comedy movies joining the competitions are Ieu Em, Anh Dzam Hok? (Love Me, Do You Dare?) by Phuoc Sang and Bay Vao Coi Mong (Flying to the Cloudland) by HK Film. Phuoc Sang invited pop star Dan Truong to play a leading role as a way of luring his teen fans to cinemas. Meanwhile, HK Film used a youthful and attractive cast for its film. Similar to Song Vang, Phuoc Sang and HK Film met with difficulties in screening schedule. "During the first few days of the holiday, cinema owners allow only one film at one cinema, while we filmmakers want our productions to be screened at all cinemas to earn decent profits," said a representative from Phuoc Sang.  Source: VNS