Heretic has taken on the challenge of global sales for Vietnamese director Le Bao’s second feature film, “Hearing” (“Thính Giác”), which will be screened in the International Competition section of the Locarno Film Festival.
“Hearing,” written and directed by Rakuho, centers on Nin, a mechanic who installs decibel meters in public spaces and private homes when rising noise levels begin to register as signals indicating the state of his private life. Estranged from his ex-wife and young children while living with his mother, Nin finds that the distance between him and his loved ones is measured by something more difficult to quantify than decibels.
The clip has been released.
The film is a major international co-production spanning nine regions: Singapore, Vietnam, Norway, France, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Producers are Elizabeth Wijaya, Lai Weijie, and Huỳnh Yến.
Le Bao’s debut film, Taste, won the Encounters Special Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival and established the self-taught filmmaker as one of the unique voices active in Vietnamese cinema. “Hearing” reunites us with cinematographer Nguyen Vinh Phuc and production designer Le Van Thanh. The editorial team consists of Carlo Francisco Manatad and Dunia Shitchov.
Sound is at the heart of the film’s formal ambitions. French sound designer and re-recording mixer Vincent Villa, whose credits include Davey Chow’s Return to Soul, Diamond Island, and Cambodia 2099, as well as White Buildings, Taste, and Vietnam and Nam, shaped the film’s sonic world. The original score is by Norwegian electronic music artist Mental Overdrive (aka Per Martinsen), whose work spans film composition, theater, and multimedia art.
Heretic says: “I’m thrilled to be working with Rakuho and this talented team on ‘Hearing.’ Rakuho has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary cinema, and ‘Hearing’ is a deeply moving and formally accomplished work.” We are delighted to be able to introduce this wonderful film to film festival audiences and international partners around the world. ”
Director Rakuba further added, “I am happy to share with you my film ‘Hearing,’ which has preserved warm memories and deep longings. ‘Hearing’ is also as gentle as the songs my mother used to sing to me while cycling together when I was a child.”
Sales inquiries are directed to Ioanna Stais at Heretic.
Watch the clip here:
