“Don’t Cry Butterfly” is a unique film that follows the story of a 45-year-old housewife named Tam, who discovers that her husband is having an affair through live TV. In an attempt to rekindle her husband’s love, Tam turns to mystical means, delving into the world of voodoo. The film is set to have its world premiere at the Venice Critics’ Week on September 3, followed by a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.
Inspiration Behind the Film
Director Duong Dieu Linh shared that the idea for “Don’t Cry Butterfly” stemmed from her experiences and observations over the years. Growing up surrounded by strong women in her family, Duong was inspired to create films that centered around women, particularly middle-aged women. She reflected on the portrayal of women in Vietnamese films, noting that they often faced hardships and mistreatment by men. This spurred her to delve deeper into the question of why women have to endure such suffering.
Duong drew inspiration from Asian extreme cinema, citing the works of directors such as Shinya Tsukamoto, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and Sion Sono, as well as Korean auteurs Park Chan-wook and Kim Ki-duk. Additionally, she mentioned being influenced by body horror works from directors like Andrzej Żuławski, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter. These diverse influences contribute to the unique visual style and storytelling approach of “Don’t Cry Butterfly.”
One of the distinctive aspects of Duong’s filmmaking process is her preference for casting non-trained or first-time actors. She believes in finding individuals who have a deep connection with the characters she has written. Duong engages in extensive discussions with her actors about the characters’ backgrounds, daily lives, and personal growth. In fact, one of the actors went as far as writing a diary from the character’s perspective during production. This approach adds depth and authenticity to the performances in the film.
The production of “Don’t Cry Butterfly” involved a collaborative effort from a team of producers including Tan Si En from Momo Film Co, Wilfredo C. Manalang from FUSEE, Nguyen Mai Ka from Kalei Films, and Yulia Evina Bhara from KawanKawan Media. This diverse team brought together their expertise to bring Duong’s vision to life on the screen.
“Don’t Cry Butterfly” is a film that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity. Through her unique storytelling approach and visual style, director Duong Dieu Linh brings a fresh perspective to the screen. With a talented cast and a dedicated production team, this film promises to captivate audiences and spark discussions about the complexities of human relationships.
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