Apr. 18, 2013|Vietnam|85 Min.|n/A
Genre: Action
Description: The 2013 film “Bui Doi Cho Lon,” starring Johnny Tri Nguyen, known for his stunt work in Hollywood movies like “Spiderman,” was directed by Vietnamese-American filmmaker Charlie Nguyen. The director made adjustments to the film by removing excessively violent scenes and adding new ones, as requested by authorities. However, the revised version was deemed inappropriate for public screening by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s assessment board and other concerned agencies.
The board criticized the film for inaccurately portraying Ho Chi Minh City’s security situation, particularly in the Chinatown district of Cho Lon. The movie was said to depict the area as lawless, dominated by gangs engaged in brutal fights and killings, with law enforcement playing a minimal role. This portrayal was seen as damaging to the city and country’s image, potentially negatively impacting viewers, especially young audiences. The new scenes added to the film were also considered irrelevant to the overall content.
As a result, the ministry instructed Thien Ngan Co., the film’s producer, to refrain from publicizing or distributing the film in any form. Director Charlie Nguyen expressed shock at the ban and declined to comment further. Previously, the filmmakers had ignored requests to remove violent scenes and proceeded with production and public screenings without official approval.
Public opinion on the film was divided, with some supporting its release without alterations or a ban. However, on June 7, the Motion Pictures Office officially banned the film, stating that the revised version remained too similar to the original, which had been criticized for its excessive violence and gore.
Cast director: Charlie Nguyễn
Cast actor: Hoàng Phúc, Long Điền, Hà Hiền, Huỳnh Bích Phương, Hoàng Phi, Johnny Trí Nguyễn
Original name: Bụi Đời Chợ Lớn