Following the resounding success of "Red Rain"—a film that grossed over 714 billion VND and became one of the rare box office phenomena in Vietnamese cinema—actor and musician Nguyen Hung continues with a leading role in the film "A Little dream of me"
After "Red Rain ," Nguyen Hung gained more attention, not only as a young face making his mark in the film but also as a beloved figure through the song "What Could Be More Beautiful? " - a song he composed inspired by the film " Red Rain ."
In "Red Rain, " Nguyen Hung played Hai, a young soldier, with a restrained performance that left a lasting impression on the audience. The character of Hai was portrayed very realistically and humanly, contributing to the emotional depth of the film. Notably, "What Could Be More Beautiful?" – a song he composed inspired by the film – spread widely after its release, becoming popular and receiving nominations for prestigious music awards.
Recently, Nguyen Hung continued to attract attention by taking on the lead role in the film project "A Little dream of me" scheduled for release on February 27th. Directed by Chung Chi Cong, the film is a psychological drama about family relationships combined with music, with settings spanning from Vietnam to the United States and South Korea. The first images from the teaser, filmed in New York and Busan, show the team's ambition to expand the storytelling space.
In the new film, Nguyen Hung plays Khang, a straightforward and honest young man with a dream of becoming a director. Khang is introduced as a passionate young man who embarks on a journey to pursue his passion amidst the clashes of reality, love, and personal choices. He is also one of the three central characters, along with Hoai (Vo Phan Kim Khanh), a girl who dreams of being an actress but remains stuck in the shadows of the profession, and Hieu (Doan Hoang), a talented comic book artist who hasn't yet found recognition. The relationship between the three creates an emotional triangle that is both romantic and poignant, placing the characters in situations that force them to confront themselves.
Another noteworthy aspect of "A Little dream of me" lies in its use of familiar symbols such as the Little Prince, the Fox, and peonies – images that evoke the journey of growing up, loneliness, and belief in goodness. The detail of the Little Prince statue appearing at Villa Albertine in New York in the teaser suggests that the film is not just telling a simple love story, but aims for emotional depth and metaphor.
According to Nguyen Hung, this role has a different feel compared to "Red Rain." While Hai is a quiet, introspective soldier, Khang is the image of a modern young person who dares to dream, dares to face challenges, and accepts hurt in order to move forward. The interplay between acting and music, which is Nguyen Hung's strength, is expected to continue to flourish in a project where music plays a crucial role in guiding emotions.
"Being involved in the film "A Little dream of me" gave me the opportunity to showcase both my musical and acting roles. So when I learned about this project, I proactively asked the director for the casting call. And this is also a rather challenging role for me," Nguyen Hung said.
Notably, actor Nguyen Hung is also a talent who has grown through the training programs under DANAFF Talents. Before becoming widely recognized by audiences through Red Rain, Nguyen Hung was a participant in the basic acting class of the Talents Incubator Workshop at DANAFF III.
Nguyen Hung attending the basic acting class – Talents Incubator Workshop – DANAFF III
The Talents Incubator Workshop is an acting training program jointly organized by DANAFF and Autumn Meeting, and has been implemented over three consecutive editions. With experienced instructors from South Korea and Japan, the workshop offers a well-structured training environment that focuses on professional skills and long-term artistic development.
"A little dream of me" – A Journey from the DANAFF Talents, Workshop & Project Market to the Big Screen
"A little dream of me" was previously selected as one of the seven outstanding projects to participate in the inaugural Workshop & Project Market - DANAFF Talents, held within the framework of the 3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III). The project stood out among hundreds of submissions to enter this intensive training and development program.
As part of the Workshop & Project Market, the filmmaking team took part in a five-day workshop with international experts, including Kim Min Young, a Korean film producer known for the hit film Exhuma, and Leonard Haddad, an experienced international film distributor from France.
Director Chung Chi Cong at the DANAFF III Workshop & Project Market pitching session
Just about half a year after participating in the Workshop & Project Market, Thank A little dream of me was officially completed and released in theaters, serving as a clear testament to the practical and hands-on support role of DANAFF Talents in helping emerging film projects move from concept to reality.
In the teaser trailer, director Chung Chi Cong introduces the film’s first song, titled “Dreaming Is a Childish Thing”, an emotionally charged piece performed by lead actress Vo Phan Kim Khanh. The song’s lyrics evoke childhood dreams and the longing to reach a wider world, only to see those dreams gradually dismissed as “childish” under the pressures and collisions of adulthood.
DANAFF Talents is a training and talent development program built on three core pillars: the Workshop & Project Market, the Talents Incubator Acting Workshop, and Masterclass, held within the framework of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF). The program is developed and implemented by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) in coordination with relevant agencies and partners, reaffirming VFDA’s long-term commitment to the development of Vietnam’s film human resources.
Through training, mentorship, and international networking activities, DANAFF Talents aims to support emerging Asian filmmakers by connecting them with film funds, production partners, and the global filmmaking community, thereby contributing to the systematic, high-quality, and sustainable strengthening of Vietnam’s cinematic capacity.
