A New Film Captures the Bustling Nightlife in Vietnam

A New Film Showcases Vietnam’s Nightlife

A new short film offers a captivating look into Vietnam’s nightlife, currently available for streaming on YouTube. The 16-minute film, Shun’s Odyssey, follows Shun, a Japanese call center worker in Hanoi, as he unexpectedly finds himself at the Phú Quốc Odyssey, a New Year’s Eve festival on Phú Quốc island.

A Fictional Story with Real Characters

The film seamlessly blends a dreamlike storyline with real individuals from Vietnam’s electronic music scene. Shuntaro Arakawa, a known partygoer, plays the lead role of Shun. The film also features Manikk (music director at Hanoi’s Mirage venue), Manuel Orkestar (DJ and promoter), Mishouju (from Hanoi label Doner Beat Records), and the drag queen collective Genderfunk. These individuals bring authenticity and a unique perspective to the narrative.

Shot on location, Shun’s Odyssey is the official after-movie for the 2022 Phú Quốc Odyssey, a collaborative project between Studio Adventure Collective and Phoq Creative Studio.

Organic Storytelling and Community Support

Studio Adventure Collective told Resident Advisor that the film’s characters and narrative developed organically, describing it as “almost like a running joke from an afterparty.” A portion of the festival profits funded the film, directly supporting the local artistic community.

Music and Release

The original soundtrack, a blend of breaks, techno, house, acid, and electro, was created by Humb and Wahren Boy of Doner Beat Records. An electronic release is expected soon on the label’s Bandcamp page.

Read also: How a Queer Couple is Shaping Cebu’s Bass Music Scene

The Film’s Impact

Shun’s Odyssey provides a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s nightlife and the creative individuals who shape it. The film’s success highlights the power of collaborative projects in fostering artistic expression and community engagement within the electronic music scene.