Gen Z Creates a Miracle: 1,500 People Flock to Vĩnh Long for Màu Mang Thít — When Cinema Steps Out of Theaters and Into the Hearts of the People
VĨNH LONG, Vietnam — On the evening of October 4, 2025, the courtyard of Lưu Văn Liệt High School in Vĩnh Long City shimmered under a sea of lights and laughter, as more than 1,500 people gathered for the community premiere of Màu Mang Thít, the debut feature film by young director Hoàng Huy Bụt (Đỗ Hoàng Huy).
Organized by Huy Bụt Film, a collective of Gen Z filmmakers from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the event was far more than a movie screening — it was a celebration of culture, heritage, and human connection. Guests walked a red carpet lined with lanterns, explored an exhibition of Mang Thít pottery, and experienced a uniquely local cinematic night that merged film, festival, and folk tradition.
When Cinema Becomes Part of Life
Màu Mang Thít tells the story of a father and son bound by generations of pottery craftsmanship — a dying art in the Mekong region. It’s a quiet yet emotional reflection on love, misunderstanding, and the deep yearning to preserve one’s roots in a modern world.
“I want cinema to feel close, not distant,” said director Hoàng Huy Bụt. “Movies shouldn’t only exist inside theaters — they should live among the people, so audiences can see themselves in every frame.”
As dusk fell, volunteers handed out 1,000 handcrafted lanterns to attendees. When supplies ran out, hundreds of young people raised their phone flashlights to the sky, creating a glowing sea of light — a spontaneous moment of unity and shared emotion that turned the courtyard into a living symbol of community and togetherness.
A Mid-Autumn Night of Light, Film, and Humanity
Even after the final credits faded, the crowd stayed. The crew organized games, distributed over 100 Mid-Autumn gifts, and invited children to the stage for photos with the actors and director.
“It’s been years since I’ve seen a Mid-Autumn night so full of joy and meaning,” said one elderly audience member. “It felt like the old days when the whole village gathered to watch stories under the stars.”
The screening of Màu Mang Thít wasn’t just an event — it was a statement of belief: that cinema can belong to everyone, that storytelling still has the power to unite, and that Vietnam’s new generation of filmmakers can honor their roots while shaping the future of national cinema.
“Every lantern lit tonight carries a piece of memory, pride, and the spirit of the Mekong people,” shared a representative of the film crew.
In one night, with one film, thousands of lights were kindled — not only from lanterns, but from the warmth of human connection and the pride of home.
Tom Tom
