Hanoi [Vietnam], May 6: After a four-year absence from the big screen, Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc has returned with the espionage film 'Indochina Code', acting alongside familiar faces such as People's Artist Trung Anh, Quang Tuan, Tram Anh, Doan Quoc Dam, etc.
The cast and crew of the film " The Indochina Code" officially introduced themselves to the press on the afternoon of May 5th in Hanoi.
Although the projected release date is April 30, 2027, the project has attracted attention from the outset due to its star-studded cast and its pursuit of one of the most challenging genres: espionage and intelligence.
Extracted from over 25,000 intelligence files.
At the premiere, the film crew excitedly stated that " The Indochina Code" can be considered a return to the espionage theme after nearly four decades of absence from the big screen. "We've known legendary intelligence generals both in real life and on the silver screen, but unfortunately, nearly four decades have passed without that theme continuing on screen. Therefore, with this film project, our wish is to continue that broken thread," director Tran Ka My shared at the event.
"Vietnamese cinema once successfully portrayed the image of intelligence officer Nguyen Thanh Luan through the superb performance of artist Chanh Tin in the long-running series 'The Cards Are Stacked Against You' . That is a source of pride for the intelligence services of the Vietnam People's Army. And in the 80-year history of the intelligence services of the Vietnam People's Public Security, there have also been many glorious achievements with legendary figures. ' The Indochina Code ' is a snapshot in that historical flow...", shared Tran Nam Chung, Director of the People's Public Security Film Department. He emphasized that this is one of the first projects to bring the Indochina intelligence front to the big screen, through the exploitation of declassified files.
In the context of the Indochina War, the activities of spies largely remained in the "dark" areas of history, with limited publicly available documentation. This posed a significant challenge for the team behind *The Indochina Code*, not only in terms of research but also in balancing historical accuracy with cinematic appeal.
The setting spans nearly 10 provinces and cities both domestically and internationally.
The film's main story is set in Laos, a country that held a pivotal position in the Indochina War. Following the Geneva Accords, the United States gradually replaced French influence in the region, while Vietnam was divided into two parts. Despite declaring neutrality, Laos actually became a battleground for various powers. With its proximity to Vietnam, its connection to the Truong Son mountain range, Route 9, and strategic supply lines to the Southern battlefield, Laos was not only a neighboring country but also a vital "lifeline" capable of directly impacting the course of the Vietnam War. This context allows the film to expand its international scope while highlighting the nature of intelligence warfare - a battle for information, routes, trust, and regional control.
"The film's setting therefore spans six provinces in Vietnam and three provinces in Laos," director Tran Ka My said.
A massive investment with the aim of targeting not just the domestic box office.
Positioned as a flagship project with a massive investment, Indochina Code utilizes 40% of its settings created using modern VFX/CGI technology to realistically recreate historical settings. The script explores a fresh theme: the Vietnamese intelligence front overseas, harmoniously blending intellectual battles, identity, love, ideals, and sacrifice, through the performances of a strong cast including People's Artist Trung Anh, Quang Tuan, Doan Quoc Dam, Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, Tram Anh, and others.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper