The Vertical Ray of the Sun
Encyclopedia
The Vertical Ray of the Sun is the third feature film by Vietnamese-born French director Trần Anh Hùng
. It was released in 2000
and is the final part of what many now consider to be Tran's "Vietnam trilogy."
The film centres on three sisters who live in present-day Hanoi: Suong is the eldest, then Khanh in the middle, and Lien is the youngest. The film takes place over the course of one month, starting on the anniversary of their mother's death and ending on the anniversary of their father's. Tran was inspired to make the film after visiting Hanoi during a break in the filming of Cyclo
during the Christmas holidays in 1994.
This drama was lensed in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi
, as well as in Halong Bay
and the village of Luoi Ngoc, Quang Ninh Province
.
The film's original score is composed by Tôn-Thât Tiêt
. Additionally, three songs of the noted Vietnamese songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn
are interspersed through the film, as are songs by the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed
, Arab Strap
, and The Married Monk.
The Vertical Ray of the Sun was screened in the Un Certain Regard
section at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival
.
Tran Anh Hung
Trần Anh Hùng is a French film director of Vietnamese ancestry.He was born in Đà Nẵng, Central Vietnam, and emigrated to France when he was 12 following the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975....
. It was released in 2000
2000 in film
The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
and is the final part of what many now consider to be Tran's "Vietnam trilogy."
The film centres on three sisters who live in present-day Hanoi: Suong is the eldest, then Khanh in the middle, and Lien is the youngest. The film takes place over the course of one month, starting on the anniversary of their mother's death and ending on the anniversary of their father's. Tran was inspired to make the film after visiting Hanoi during a break in the filming of Cyclo
Cyclo (film)
Cyclo is a 1995 film by Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung . It stars Le Van Loc, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Trần Nữ Yên Khê. Le Van Loc plays a young cyclo driver who is forced into working for a gang after his cycle is stolen. Soon, his sister also comes under the influence of the gang and becomes...
during the Christmas holidays in 1994.
This drama was lensed in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
, as well as in Halong Bay
Halong Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes...
and the village of Luoi Ngoc, Quang Ninh Province
Quang Ninh Province
Quảng Ninh is a large province located along the northeastern coast of Vietnam. The province is home to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site. The provincial capital is Ha Long. Nearly 80 per cent of the province is mountainous with abundant land, forest water and mineral resources. Nearly 90 per...
.
The film's original score is composed by Tôn-Thât Tiêt
Ton-That Tiet
Tôn Thất Tiết is a Vietnamese music composer.-Biography:Born in Huê in central Vietnam in 1933, Tiet came to Paris in 1958 to study composition at the Paris Conservatoire. He attended Jean Rivier and André Jolivet classes for composition...
. Additionally, three songs of the noted Vietnamese songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn
Trinh Cong Son
Trịnh Công Sơn was a Vietnamese composer, musician, painter and songwriter. He, along with Pham Duy and Van Cao, is widely considered one of the three salient figures of modern Vietnamese music. Many of Trinh's songs are long songs...
are interspersed through the film, as are songs by the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, Arab Strap
Arab Strap (band)
Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
, and The Married Monk.
The Vertical Ray of the Sun was screened in the Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's Official Selection. It is run at the Salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or.This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob...
section at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival
2000 Cannes Film Festival
The 2000 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the Danish film Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier.-Jury:* Luc Besson, President * Jonathan Demme * Nicole Garcia...
.
Plot
On the anniversary of their mother's death, three sisters in contemporary Hanoi meet to prepare a memorial banquet. After the banquet, the calm exteriors of the sisters' lives begin to give way to more turbulent truths, which will affect their seemingly idyllic relationships. The eldest sister has a small boy nicknamed Little Mouse, and botanical photographer husband Quoc, who is prone to long absences from home. The middle sister has recently discovered that she is pregnant to her husband Kien, who is a writer suffering from writer's block. The flirtatious youngest sister constantly fantasises about being pregnant, and lives with her brother Hai, for whom she has a deep affection.Credited Cast
- Tran Nu Yên-Khê.... Lien
- Nguyen Nhu Quynh .... Suong
- Le Khanh .... Khanh
- Ngo Quang Hai .... Hai
- Chu Hung .... Quoc
- Tran Manh Cuong .... Kien
- Le Tuan Anh .... Tuan
- Le Ngoc Dung .... Huong