Viet Nam to amuse audiences at Thailand festival

      Funny films from Viet Nam will hit screens at the World Comedy Film Festival in Thailand from today through next Tuesday.
At the Asia premier of this festival, Hon Truong Ba, Da Hang Thit (Truong Ba’s Soul in a Butcher’s Body) directed by Nguyen Quang Dung and Dich Cuoi (Laughing Epidemic) directed by Do Minh Tuan will represent Viet Nam among 50 other films from European and Asian countries.
The Vietnamese contingent at the festival includes director Nguyen Quang Dung, designer David Minh Duc, producer Luu Phuoc Sang, Model Giang Mi and cameraman Nguyen Tranh.
Many leading comedic actors from the US, Australia and China will attend the festival, including Golden Globe Nominee Eric Roberts.
The World Comedy Film Festival 2009 features comedies under the theme "A day without laughter is a day wasted – Charlie Chaplin. So Come Laugh with Us".
Audiences will have the chance to see comedies produced during the Soviet era and will also gain an understanding of the way films are made in Asian countries.
Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, including: the best world comedy film; best actor and actress; and viewer’s choice. Two prizes for short comedies will also be awarded: the best short comedy and viewer’s choice.
Model Giang Mi and designer Duc will introduce Vietnamese ao dai (long dress) during the festival activities and also take 1,000 photos in Thailand featuring the traditional dress. The collection of photos will be displayed in Viet Nam in September along with stamp and calendar collections also featuring ao dai as part of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Ha Noi celebration.
An opening ceremony will be held this evening at the Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The closing ceremony will be next Tuesday at the SF World Cinema at Central World.
Thailand aims to use the World Comedy Film Festival to promote the country as a place where hospitality and smiles come naturally, and also to help boost Thailand’s image as an established industry hub for filming in Asia.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Federation of National Film Associations are working together to organise the event.