The Cinephile series returns in 2025 with its first film, Rom - a pulsating rhythm of high-energy chases and the fierce will to survive of teenage street kids in the heart of Saigon.

As the debut work of young director Tran Thanh Huy, Rom won the top prize in the New Currents category at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival. Despite facing numerous challenges during the censorship process, it became the most successful independent Vietnamese film at the box office. The film is the result of relentless creativity, following the journey of its protagonist, Rom - a wandering lottery ticket seller in an old apartment complex, striving to help residents change their fate while also searching for his lost family.

With a fast-paced narrative, dynamic tracking shots, and sharp editing, Rom delivers an experimental cinematic experience, pulling audiences into heart-stopping chases across rooftops, narrow alleyways, and perilous railway tracks. The film captivates not only with its striking visual effects but also with its raw and authentic portrayal of life on the fringes of society - where hope and despair are separated by a single stroke of luck.

Join Cinephile for an immersive and realistic journey through Rom, a film that lays bare the harsh realities of life for those struggling to survive on the margins.

Guest speakers: Director Tran Thanh Huy & Actor Tran Anh Khoa

Host: Journalist & Film Critic Le Hong Lam