Prepare for a chilling cinematic experience as the Vietnamese found-footage horror film, “Lầu Chú Hoả: The Deadliest Mansion,” makes its North American debut on September 4. Distributed by Mockingbird Pictures, the film will be showcased across major theater chains including AMC, Regal, and Cinemark.
A Groundbreaking Horror Release
Directed by Hùng Trần, “Lầu Chú Hoả: The Deadliest Mansion” is notable for being Vietnam‘s first theatrical found-footage horror release. Upon its launch in June, the film achieved remarkable success, topping the local box office with over one million admissions and accumulating more than VND78 billion (approximately $3 million) in gross revenue.
A Spine-Chilling Plot
The film draws inspiration from a well-known Vietnamese urban legend. The storyline follows a group of young streamers who venture into the infamous Hứa family estate, seeking fame and fortune. However, their live broadcast inadvertently awakens a dormant, malevolent force, pulling them into the haunting narrative of the “Ghost of the Hứa Family.” Notably, the entire film is shot in a found-footage style, which adds to its immersive horror experience.
International Collaboration
Produced by Runup Vietnam in collaboration with South Korea’s Hive Media Corp, “Lầu Chú Hoả: The Deadliest Mansion” marks the latter’s debut production investment outside its own market. Hive Media Corp has a solid track record, having supported several acclaimed Korean films, such as “12.12: The Day” and “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,” which garnered over 2.6 million admissions in South Korea.
Producer’s Vision
Producer Lee Jin Sung emphasized the power of the found-footage genre, stating, “Found footage has the power to make audiences feel as though they are experiencing the horror themselves. Working with Hive Media Corp allowed us to bring that experience to a uniquely Vietnamese legend while preserving the identity and atmosphere that make the story distinctive.”
Mockingbird Pictures’ Expansion
Mockingbird Pictures is spearheading the North American rollout as part of its initiative to expose Vietnamese commercial films to global audiences. Phong Duong, business director of Mockingbird Pictures and executive producer at Bluebells Studios, remarked, “’Lầu Chú Hoả: The Deadliest Mansion’ delivers one of the most intense Vietnamese horror experiences in recent years. We believe this is a film that can travel, and we want audiences around the world to experience that fear for themselves.”
Bridging Cultures Through Film
With an impressive distribution footprint covering more than 60 new theatrical releases annually in Vietnam and over 100 titles on post-theatrical platforms, Mockingbird Pictures is clearly focused on broadening its reach to international viewers, showcasing the richness of Southeast Asian cinema.
