The film “Hijacked” (original title: Tử Chiến Trên Không) has been selected as the Opening Film of the Vietnam Film Week – Journey of Light, which will take place on December 5, 2025, at Le Grand Rex, Paris – one of Europe’s most iconic cinemas.
Released in September 2025, Hijacked quickly became a remarkable phenomenon in Vietnamese cinema. Within just five days of its release, the film surpassed VND 100 billion at the box office, becoming the first Vietnamese action film to be released in IMAX format. Critics praised the film for its realistic visual effects, gripping pacing, and profound human emotion woven into a story of survival at 30,000 feet.
Directed by Ham Tran, the film is inspired by two real-life hijacking incidents that occurred in Vietnam in 1977 and 1978, during a period when the country had just reunified and was rebuilding amid hardship. With guidance from historical witnesses and a production team including visual effects specialists from South Korea and Singapore, Hijacked vividly recreates the desperate struggle for survival between crew members and passengers in the face of death — a powerful portrayal of Vietnamese courage, solidarity, and humanity.
Hijacked features an outstanding Vietnamese cast including Thái Hòa, Kaity Nguyễn, Thanh Sơn, and Trâm Anh in the leading roles. The original score, composed by Đức Trí and performed in collaboration with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, adds emotional depth and grandeur to the film’s tense narrative.
One of the film’s most technically challenging sequences — depicting the aircraft’s violent turbulence and free fall — was shot using a full-scale aircraft set, costing over VND 1 billion for that scene alone, underscoring the film’s unprecedented scale and production ambition within Vietnamese cinema.
Thanks to its meticulous craftsmanship and widespread acclaim, Hijacked has been selected as the opening film of "Vietnam Film Week – Journey of Light" at Le Grand Rex, Paris — one of Europe’s most iconic cinemas, recognized by Time Out as the most beautiful movie theater in the world.
For a Vietnamese commercial film to be showcased at such a heritage venue is not only a source of pride for the filmmakers but also a meaningful step forward in the journey of Vietnamese cinema to connect with international audiences through stories that embody the spirit and resilience of Vietnam.
“Red Rain” and Vietnam’s Classic Films at the Vietnam Film Week in Paris
Alongside Hijacked, audiences in Paris will also be treated to “Red Rain” — one of the 67 highest-grossing films worldwide in 2025 (according to Box Office Mojo), with a box office revenue of nearly VND 714 billion. The film recreates the 81-day battle to defend Quảng Trị Citadel in 1972, one of the most heroic and poignant chapters in modern Vietnamese history.
In addition to contemporary works, Vietnam Film Week – Journey of Light will offer French audiences the rare opportunity to experience classic masterpieces that laid the foundation of Vietnamese cinema, each representing a milestone in the nation’s cinematic heritage.
Beyond screenings, the film week also opens a space for cinematic dialogue and cultural exchange, where directors, actors, producers, and international audiences come together to share perspectives, experiences, and passion for the seventh art.
Event Information
📅 Date: December 5 – 12, 2025
📍 Venue: Le Grand Rex Cinema, Paris, France
🎬 Program: Screenings of 17 notable Vietnamese films, artist meet-and-greet sessions, and seminars
🎟️ Details on the screening schedule and ticket registration will be announced soon.
👉 Follow VFDA and Vietnam Cinéma à Paris on official channels to stay updated on the latest news and program highlights from “Vietnam Film Week – The Journey of Light.”
