Director Bui Thac Chuyen opens up about storytelling, criticism, and the emotional layers behind his war epic.
The Tunnel – a film nurtured for 11 years by director Bui Thac Chuyen – has become a standout in Vietnamese cinema. The work has drawn both praise and debate from critics and audiences across generations.
Director Bui Thac Chuyen.
"The Tunnel: The sun in the shadows" has generated a wave of excitement. Not only has the film made a strong artistic impression, but it also achieved unexpected commercial success, surpassing VND 130 billion (approximately USD 5.3 million) in box office revenue as of April 15, according to Box Office Vietnam.
In the film, Bui Thac Chuyen offers a neutral perspective on war. He neither glorifies one side nor vilifies the other.
Every situation - from daily life in underground guerrilla bases to intense raids and sacrificial moments - is portrayed with restraint and objectivity.
“I didn’t make The Tunnel for profit”
Until now, Bui Thac Chuyen has only made artistic films, staying outside the box-office race. Achieving this kind of success, especially with a war-themed historical piece - a genre often considered commercially narrow - is no small feat.
Speaking to VietNamNet, he expressed surprise and joy, admitting he never expected the film he had poured his heart into to be so warmly received.
He and his team created The Tunnel not for profit or awards.
Nevertheless, the film’s financial success has become a motivating factor, giving investors greater confidence to support future historical film projects.
“No one can predict final box office figures - not even the best filmmakers - because it all depends on the audience. I just hope as many people as possible watch it. How far it goes is up to fate,” he said.
The cast of The Tunnel.
At 54, the director is especially happy to see not only middle-aged viewers but also a large number of Gen Z moviegoers heading to theaters - and actively discussing the film on social media afterward.
To him, this is the greatest success of the crew, as the true value of any film lies in how audiences perceive it after watching.
On set, Bui Thac Chuyen was meticulous in shaping each situation and character’s emotional journey. However, he never attempted to guide viewers toward a specific interpretation.
After the premiere, he returned home and read every comment. He believes that once a film is released, it belongs to the public - and viewers have every right to express their opinions. For his part, he embraces both praise and criticism with an open mind.
“If you ask me whether I’m satisfied - the answer is never. But I did my best. Audience feedback is valuable and helps me see things more objectively. I was too immersed in it for too long to have that distance,” he reflected.
Were the intimate scenes necessary?
Thai Hoa’s performance as Bay Theo was widely praised.
The Tunnel received a T16 rating (for viewers aged 16 and up). Some have suggested that the rating restricts younger viewers from accessing an important historical story.
Actress Ngoc Lan shared her regret at not being able to take her son to the theater because of the age restriction.
Bui Thac Chuyen explained that the age classification is determined by the Film Evaluation and Classification Council.
“I believe the 16+ rating wasn’t due to the love scene. That segment is subtle and discreet, not overly provocative. The main reason, I think, is the intense violence - shooting, killing - which can’t be toned down,” he clarified.
The first cut of the film ran for three and a half hours. For theatrical release, it was trimmed to 2 hours and 8 minutes. The director admitted he regretted not having enough screen time to enhance the film’s structure.
Due to time constraints, some scenes had to be cut - such as one showing Bay Theo’s selfless spirit for his comrades, and another in which actor Mai The Hiep played a corpse floating in the river for two days.
Bui Thac Chuyen carefully considered whether to include intimate scenes in The Tunnel.
He plans to release a Director’s Cut version soon. This edition, closest to his creative vision, will include restored scenes, new arrangements, and additional footage - giving audiences a fresh and deeper experience.
Meanwhile, love scenes appearing in the middle and end of the film have stirred discussion. Considered bold by some, they’ve prompted viewers to ask: were these “18+ moments” truly necessary?
Bui Thac Chuyen said he deliberated carefully before including them. Through those moments, he wanted to portray love and yearning amid war.
Despite their courage and resilience, these young men and women were still human - flesh and blood - with ordinary emotions and desires. The director hopes viewers will understand the deeper meaning behind those scenes.
Vietnamnet.vn
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