Home
News

Human Trafficking Camp" brings indigenous cultural colors to the big screen

News

Human Trafficking Camp" brings indigenous cultural colors to the big screen

04:32
In the feature film “Human Trafficking Camp,” which officially premiered nationwide on September 25, amidst large-scale action, chase, and rescue sequences, viewers also encounter glimpses of the life and culture of the Southwestern region, contributing to the film's unique atmosphere and visual palette.
Indigenous cultural elements bring a unique atmosphere and color to the film. (Photo: Provided by the production team)
Indigenous cultural elements bring a unique atmosphere and color to the film. (Photo: Provided by the production team)

Set in the borderlands of the Mekong Delta, "Human Trafficking Camp" by director Toni Duong Bao Anh and producer Meo Bich Trang not only explores the dark side of transnational criminal networks but also skillfully integrates the unique cultural and daily life features of the Southern people. One of the highlights is the Ro Pagoda Ox Racing Festival - a unique spiritual and cultural activity of the Khmer people in An Giang province.

To fully recreate the vibrant atmosphere of the festival on the big screen, the production crew invested heavily in both set design and personnel. Instead of relying on CGI, the crew filmed directly on the characteristic muddy race tracks. The strong, competitive oxen, the roaring cheers of the local crowd, and the high-speed dashes through the mud created a visually stunning grand scene.

Instead of relying on CGI, the crew filmed directly on the characteristic muddy race tracks. (Photo: Provided by the production team)
Instead of relying on CGI, the crew filmed directly on the characteristic muddy race tracks. (Photo: Provided by the production team)

Beyond contributing to the characteristic atmosphere of the Southwestern region, the image of the herd of cattle was also incorporated by the production team to evoke multi-layered associations, especially when juxtaposed with the stories of the victims of human trafficking. These are individuals seeking a better life, lured by promises of “easy jobs with high pay,” only to fall into trafficking rings, lose their autonomy, and be forced into submission.

Placed in this context, the scene of the white cattle rushing out of the truck in the film's final grand sequence creates a highly evocative image. Beyond expanding the scale of the scene, the appearance of the herd also helps create a different atmosphere following the film's series of tense developments.

The image of the cattle rushing out of the truck in the final grand scene creates a different atmosphere after the film's series of tense developments. (Photo: Provided by the production team)
The image of the cattle rushing out of the truck in the final grand scene creates a different atmosphere after the film's series of tense developments. (Photo: Provided by the production team)

To facilitate this scene, the producer had to hire trucks from An Giang to transport over 40 white cattle to the filming location. A team of more than 10 people was mobilized specifically to care for the herd throughout the production process.

Sharing his thoughts on this grand scene, director Toni Duong Bao Anh stated: "Managing a large herd of livestock on set is truly a difficult challenge. However, thanks to the combination of practical location filming and post-production CGI, we were able to both preserve the authentic cultural essence of the region and ensure every frame met the aesthetic standards of theatrical cinema."

“Human Trafficking Camp” is currently one of the films recording positive box office results. According to data updated by the production team, as of the morning of September 26, 2026, the film has reached a revenue of approximately 40 billion VND.