CELEB
A Fresh Voice From Vietnam Heads to Switzerland
Vietnamese filmmaker Lê Bảo is set to make his mark on the international stage as his sophomore feature, "Hearing" (Thính Giác), has been selected for the prestigious International Competition at the Locarno Film Festival. The announcement comes alongside exciting news that international sales company Heretic has secured worldwide distribution rights for the project, giving this compelling Vietnamese story a direct path to global audiences.
This marks an important milestone for Lê Bảo, who returns to Locarno after establishing himself as a rising talent in Asian cinema. The festival's International Competition section has long served as a launching pad for breakthrough filmmakers, and "Hearing" appears poised to follow in the footsteps of previous success stories.
The Sound of Personal Turmoil
"Hearing" centers on Ninh, a mechanic whose everyday work takes on extraordinary meaning. His job involves installing decibel meters in both public spaces and private residences. seemingly routine work that becomes anything but ordinary when the readings begin to reveal something far more personal than noise levels.
As sound measurements spike and fluctuate, they start functioning as unexpected indicators about the state of Ninh's own life. The irony cuts deep: here is a man whose professional expertise lies in measuring sound, yet he finds himself confronted with frequencies that speak to his most intimate struggles.
Ninh's personal situation adds another layer of poignancy to the narrative. He exists in a state of separation from his former spouse and their young children, living instead with his aging mother. The physical and emotional distances between Ninh and those he loves become quantifiable through the very measurements he installs. transforming ordinary decibel readings into a haunting meditation on disconnection and longing.
A Collaboration Built for Global Reach
Heretic's acquisition of world sales rights represents a strategic partnership that should serve the film well as it navigates the festival circuit and beyond. The company has built a reputation for championing distinctive voices from around the world, and "Hearing" fits neatly into their catalog of artistically ambitious fare with crossover potential.
The partnership comes at an ideal moment, as interest in Vietnamese cinema continues to grow internationally. Directors like Lê Bảo are helping reshape global perceptions of what Asian cinema can accomplish, moving beyond traditional genre confines into more introspective, character-driven territory.
What Lies Ahead
With Locarno serving as the launchpad and Heretic handling global distribution, "Hearing" is positioned to reach audiences well beyond its Southeast Asian origins. The film's unique premise. transforming acoustic measurements into emotional barometers. offers a fresh take on the intersection between the mundane and the profound.
As festival programmers and sales agents continue seeking out authentic stories from underrepresented regions, Lê Bảo's sophomore effort stands out for its inventive conceptual framework and its willingness to explore universal themes of family, isolation, and communication through an unconventional lens.
