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Ham Tran's 'The Red Thread' to premiere at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival
Báo Tuổi Trẻ
08:53
The horror film "Red Thread" by director Ham Tran will have its world premiere at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival on October 9, ahead of its theatrical release in Vietnam in December.
Following its debut at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival, "Red Thread" will premiere in Vietnam on December 4 - Photo: Provided by Production
"Red Thread" by director Ham Tran has been selected for the Midnight Passion section at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival. This category is dedicated to horror, action, and thriller films. The film is scheduled for its World Premiere on October 9 in South Korea, with director Ham Tran and several crew members in attendance.
Inspired by the Eastern concept of the "red thread of fate," "Red Thread" weaves a story around murders, spirits, and the mysterious connection between the living and the dead. The film blends horror, psychological drama, and body horror, featuring elements such as the "third eye," physical transformations, a series of murders, and the ability to perceive spirits.
"Red Thread" marks Ham Tran's return to the horror genre - Photo: Provided by Production
The film also marks Ham Tran's return to the horror genre following "Hollow" (2014) and "The Demon's Eatery" (2025). With "Red Thread," the director continues to explore spiritual themes rooted in Eastern culture while grounding the narrative in the choices and consequences faced by the characters.
Director Ham Tran stated that the screening of "Red Thread" at the Busan International Film Festival holds special significance for him.
"'Red Thread' marks my return to the horror genre with a story deeply rooted in Vietnamese spiritual culture and how the Vietnamese perceive the supernatural. This film was created not only to evoke fear but also with the hope of healing. Over 20 years ago, my debut film also premiered at this very festival. Therefore, I am incredibly honored and excited to return to Busan to introduce 'Red Thread' to an audience known for their passion and love for cinema," shared director Ham Tran.
"Red Thread" explores spiritual themes tied to Eastern beliefs - Photo: Provided by Production
In addition to "Red Thread," another Vietnamese film participating in the 2026 Busan International Film Festival is "1982" by director Nguyen Hoang Diep, which has been selected for the Vision Asia section. This category features 11 films, including "Ria" (Arvin Belarmino), "Dead End" (Isabella Lam Lok-hin), "Bua" (Inthira Charoenpura), and "Phensiri" (Klangsurin).
Vietnamese cinema has been represented at the Busan International Film Festival for many years. In 1996, "Nostalgia for the Countryland" by Dang Nhat Minh was presented in the A Window on Asian Cinema section. This was followed by "Adrift" by Bui Thac Chuyen and "Rom" by Tran Thanh Huy—the latter winning the New Currents Award in 2019.
"1982" by director Nguyen Hoang Diep also participates in the 2026 Busan International Film Festival - Photo: Provided by Production
The 2026 Busan International Film Festival features 246 official films, an increase of 5 films from the previous edition, marking its largest scale since 2019. This year, the Busan International Film Festival has been recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as an "A-list film festival," joining the ranks of Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, and Toronto.
The winner of the Busan Award for Best Film will be eligible for submission in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars. The 2026 program brings together many international figures such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michelle Yeoh, Majid Majidi, Isabelle Huppert, Lav Diaz, Christine Hakim, and anime director Rintaro.
Among them, Michelle Yeoh will be honored as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year, Ann Hui will receive the Camellia Award, and Kim Dong-ho, co-founder and former chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, will receive the Korean Cinema Award.
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