Director Bui Thac Chuyen tells the terrifying behind-the-scenes story of the 55 billion historical film 'Tunnels'

- You have directed war films, the most famous of which is "Living in Fear", but "Tunnels" is a completely different project. What pressures did you face while making the film?

I know this is a difficult subject but the story of Cu Chi has great power. I wrote the script from 2014 to 2016. At first I thought of state film production units but the budget was not enough. The difficulty was that I was not allowed to combine the state budget with private units and was bound by the law on public investment. As soon as I finished writing, I gave the script to an American director, they were very surprised.

I worked with an Australian film company and they planned to film there. But a Vietnamese story, the pride of Vietnam, filmed in Australia was not suitable. Then Covid-19 happened so the project could not start until 2022 when some investors thought that the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification should have a film, then I could find the money for it.UniqueFirst one person, then six people agreed to invest in production.

- Can you announce the production cost of "Tunnel"?

The film's production cost was 55 billion, not including marketing costs.

- But with films like this, surely you and the producers will not put profit first but rather the historical and ideological elements of the film?

Investors think the same way. They put money into the film without thinking about getting their capital back because if they wanted to do that, they would invest in Tran Thanh, Ly Hai... I really want to make the film as a memorial to those who sacrificed for the country. ParticipantsTunnelsalso had that thought. That's why the movie had the opportunity to be released. We wanted to do something meaningful to commemorate the martyrs' merits.TunnelsIt's a tough but worthwhile film. There's probably never been a more terrible film.

- It took 11 years to bring "Tunnels" to the screen. During that decade, what was the most difficult time for you?

(Shakes head)Firstly, I have nothing to lose and I believe that a valuable story like this will be made sooner or later. Because the story of the Cu Chi tunnels is breathtakingly attractive like an action movie but with all the human elements. It was an extraordinary war, with only a few civilians holding guns fighting against the most powerful army in the world.

- Was the filming location a challenge for the crew because they couldn't film in the Cu Chi tunnels and had to build a simulated set to film in a cramped space?

No one thought of shooting in the tunnels because it was impossible. We had to operate a separate set with a lot of things that went with it. There were many unforeseen complications so you could say that filmingTunnelsis a challenge. Actors also have to be in good health and used to moving in tunnels.

- Did you make any special requests to the actors participating in "Tunnels" before filming, such as military training?

I gave them 2 months to prepare. The actors had to agree to focus completely on the film and not run around. Luckily.TunnelsThe actors were very enthusiastic and no one left the show halfway. They even regretted that the show was not going to continue when it ended. Now the actors are as close as teammates, calling each other by their character names and not their real names.

- Which actor do you like best?

All the actors were on the same page and did a great job, even the new actors who had the most difficulty. There was a girl who had just graduated but had to act out close combat scenes with daggers which was very difficult, so I thought about using a stuntman but it didn't work out.

So they gave it their all and accepted bruises on their limbs or had to do extremely difficult scenes where they were dragged down a tiny tunnel. They had to move in the tunnel with guns in their hands and many things hanging around their bodies that could have injured them if they were careless. There was an explosion scene that really scared me but luckily no one was hurt, only Thai Hoa had a broken toenail when he tripped over a tree root.

- Now that you have completed the film and released it, is there anything you regret?

I only regret when I can change, but if I can't change, I don't regret. I tried my best, how far I can go is fate. This is the first film that after finishing filming, I still made the actors film 6 times, but they all cooperated. For example, actress Ho Thu Anh had run out of time to lose weight for the role, but because she had to film again, she had to lose 5-6 kg in just 1 week to film again. Therefore, Ho Thu Anh did not trust me anymore and kept her body skinny because she was afraid she would be called back at any time.

- In the past, all of director Bui Thac Chuyen's actors did not have wives or children to participate, so why did his son play a small role in "Tunnel" this time? Was the "curse" lifted because he finally let his family act in the film? Bui Thac Phong said the family rule is that everyone does their own work?

If the role is right, then just act, no big deal! Yes, that is the family rule, everyone has their own business and what they need to share will be said. Because while making the film, I was very uncomfortable. I knew that touching me at that time was like touching leprosy, so it was best for everyone to do their own thing.

- So did you actively call for the son's role or did the casting department do everything?

You do casting with your own network of actors and Phong is very skinny while the movie calls for skinny actors like that. Finally Phong is called for a role in the army of soldiers fighting the trailer. Even though it is only a small role inTunnelsBut I had to go to Saigon a week before to learn how to drive a trailer under the guidance of the Information Command.

- Do you think that one day your wife - actress Tu Oanh will also participate in a movie you direct?

I don't know, if the role is right it's totally possible. I'm very fair about that, if art is fair to me then I have to be fair to others.