EXCLUSIVE: Specialty distributor 3388 Films has set a 12-country international release for Detective Kien: The Headless Horror from director Victor Vu. The top horror thriller of all time in Vietnam, it begins rollout next week.
The film will be in cinemas in the U.S., Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia starting from May 29. UK, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Poland release on May 30, with France, Bulgaria and Japan to follow.
The story sees the titular character investigate a headless body found in a rural Vietnamese village during the Nguyen Dynasty. As supernatural elements emerge, he faces chilling twists, transporting the audience into a world of mystery, horror and thriller. Quoc Huy, Dinh Ngoc Diep, Tran Quoc Anh, Doan Minh Anh and My Uyen star.
Detective Kien opened locally on April 30, amassing 150 billion VND (approximately $5.8M) in just eight days at the box office. It currently sits at 239 billion VND (approximately $9.2M), and is still playing. Producers are Galaxy Studio and November Films.
The film is on track to become Vietnam’s 2nd highest grossing film of the year, and is already the 8th biggest of all time overall in its home country. This is Vu’s 18th feature in a 20-year career that has balanced critical acclaim and commercial success. Vu is internationally known for Mat Biec (Dreamy Eyes) and Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, which were Vietnam’s official entries for the International Feature Film Oscar at the 93rd and 89th Academy Awards.
Vu tells us,“One of my greatest passions is to explore Vietnam’s culture and the distinct beauty of the country through my films, no matter what genre I’m working in. Detective Kien is special because it offers audiences a glimpse into Vietnam’s past. The movie was shot in villages and homes that are 200 years old. Considerable attention was given to the production design, costumes, props and locations – to offer the most realistic portrayal of Vietnamese society during the Nguyen dynasty. I want to share this world that we recreated with international audiences, with the hope that they will gain a better understanding of the rich tapestry of traditions, customs and beliefs that characterize the unique culture of Vietnam.”
Thien A. Pham, founder of 3388 Films, added, “3388 Films prioritizes and advocates for the theatrical experience because we believe audiences love, and want, to watch films on the big screen, in cinemas together with family and friends. This is why our team has been boots on the ground the past few years, diligently carving theatrical distribution pathways for Asian, specifically Southeast Asian films, in multiple territories around the world. Moviegoing, even with all the recent industry challenges, remains an unrivaled magical experience that sparks imagination, creates wonder, and fulfills our human need for social connections. And without a doubt, Victor Vu’s films are meant to be experienced by audiences on the silver screen.”
