Crystal to the rescue for 84th Academy Awards show

An Oscar statue is pictured on the red carpet arrival area during preparations for the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 25, 2012. The Academy Awards will be given out in Hollywood on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The Oscar ceremony has much to prove Sunday, including whether a blockbuster-free field can draw a TV audience and if Billy Crystal's host routine remains a crowd-pleaser.

Brian Grazer and Don Mischer, the show's producers, are laughing off the challenges: "Comedy is the direction we're going in this year," said Mischer.

For Crystal, who returns to the ceremony (8:30 p.m. EST, ABC) after an absence of eight years, that means jokes and patter that were being rehearsed at the last minute to avoid punch line leaks.

The actor also is bringing back two of his trademark Oscar bits: A film sequence in which he appears via CGI in clips from the nine best-picture contenders, and a musical number that pays tribute to the ceremony and nominees.

"It's everything everybody is going to want to see from Billy Crystal," Grazer said. "Billy was born for this job. He loves being the host and he does it with complete zest and enthusiasm. He makes it fun for everybody."

Crystal has help. Presenting team Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis have a "great gag," Grazer promised, with more light moments planned courtesy of co-presenters Tina Fey and Bradley Cooper and, in a group effort, the cast of "Bridesmaids."

There's a chance for controversy in a presidential election year and, with Sacha Baron Cohen invited, for mock political friction. Rumor has it Cohen will come dressed as the character from "The Dictator," his upcoming movie about a faux country's despot.

Although there were hints of motion picture academy uneasiness about the possible stunt, "we're thrilled to have him," Grazer said.

Among the high-wattage presenters for the 84th Academy Awards at the Hollywood & Highland Center (formerly the Kodak Theatre) are Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Michael Douglas, Penelope Cruz and Angelina Jolie. They'll be framed by a stage set evoking a classic movie theater and the evening's theme: the enduring nature of the moviegoing experience.

Nominees in the lead acting categories include Viola Davis for "The Help," Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady," George Clooney for "The Descendants" and Jean Dujardin for "The Artist."

But the night's starring role goes to Crystal, 63, who acknowledged in a Oscar.com video that "there's so much expected" of his return. He should have the audience's goodwill in his ninth Oscar gig since, in the best Hollywood tradition, he came to the rescue after Eddie Murphy dropped out as host.

Murphy's exit followed that of ceremony producer Brett Ratner, who had drawn fire for using a pejorative word for gay men at a screening of "Tower Heist," directed by Ratner and starring Murphy. Oscar-winning movie producer Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind") jumped in to work with awards veteran Mischer.

Last year's co-hosts aren't a hard act for Crystal to follow. Anne Hathaway and James Franco were picked to appeal to younger viewers but while Hathaway was game, an inert Franco proved ill-suited for the task.

The nominees represent a different challenge for the show. Favorites include "The Artist," a daring black-and-white silent film; "Hugo," an unusual Martin Scorsese work that trades grittiness for charm; and the family drama "The Descendants" with Clooney as a cuckold.

None has soared at the box office. Among the best-picture nominees, only "The Help," based on the best-selling book about 1960s race relations in the South, hit $100 million in ticket sales and counting (it's at more than $170 million.)

Blockbusters were left in the cold. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," couldn't overcome the academy's resistance to the franchise. Nor, more understandably, could "The Hangover Part II," another 2011 success.

Such snubs tend to produce the TV equivalent of a weak box office: low ratings. When a monster hit like "Titanic" ruled the Oscars in 1998, the ceremony drew an impressive 55.2 million viewers. "The King's Speech," last year's less-mainstream best-picture winner, was watched by 37.9 million people.

There is an effort to boost viewership through social networks. The academy is inviting fans to make awards predictions on its Facebook page and share them with friends, while ABC will use Twitter to reveal the scene backstage and on the red carpet.

At stake are advertising dollars as well as bragging rights in the award show competition. This month's Grammys — riding a wave of interest in Adele's post-surgery comeback and the death of Whitney Houston — drew nearly 40 million viewers to eclipse the Academy Awards for the first time since 1984.

Forget nominee nervousness: Those anxious giggles may just be from Oscar himself.

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Stars gather as 'Artist' eyes Oscar glory

Stars began descending on the red carpet Sunday for Hollywood's biggest night, as two odes to film-making -- silent movie "The Artist" and Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" -- vie for glory at the Oscars.

Actress Octavia Spencer arrives on the red carpet as actress Glenn Close poses with guests for the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

The French director of "The Artist," seen as favorite to win Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, admitted he was nervous on the eve of the show, the climax of Tinseltown's annual awards season.

"I'm a bit tense because the outside pressure is rising considerably," said Michel Hazanavicius, after "The Artist" won another pre-Oscars boost Saturday at the independent Spirit awards.

Following months of campaigning and a flurry of lesser prizes, Tinseltown's annual awards season reaches its high point with the most prestigious honors of them all, the coveted golden statuettes.

Hundreds of millions around the globe will tune in for the ceremony hosted once again by veteran Billy Crystal, after A-listers strut their stuff down the most-watched red carpet in the world.

Crystal was expected to start the night with his traditional Oscars song, said Academy President Tom Sherak.

"I went Saturday to watch him (rehearse) his song, that will open the show... He's unbelievable... he's going to make the show incredibly funny," he told ABC7 News hours before the event kicks off at 5:30 pm (0130 GMT Monday).

As usual, the annual march to Oscars coronation has not been without a few twists and surprises.

British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, a member of the cast of "Hugo," has ruffled feathers with his apparent plans to promote his upcoming film "The Dictator" in full faux strongman regalia on the red carpet.

The list of presenters is chock full of heavy-hitters -- last year's best actress and actor Natalie Portman and Colin Firth will join Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks and Angelina Jolie among others.

Scorsese's "Hugo," a visually rich 3D tribute to a French film pioneer, goes into the show with the most nominations, at 11, with black-and-white Hollywood love letter "The Artist" just behind on 10.

Scorsese is not the only legendary director in the mix -- Woody Allen is in the running for best picture honors for his comeback hit "Midnight in Paris," and Steven Spielberg will gun for the top prize with "War Horse."

Buddies George Clooney and Brad Pitt will duke it out for best actor, but "Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has won a slew of awards for his portrayal of a struggling silent-era movie star, could best them both.

Pitt is up for his role as coach Billy Beane in baseball movie "Moneyball," while Clooney has been hailed for playing against type in "The Descendants," a family drama set in Hawaii that is also in the hunt for best picture glory.

Mexico's Demian Bichir is on the best actor shortlist for his poignant turn as an undocumented migrant in "A Better Life," as is British veteran Gary Oldman for Cold War spy thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

Meryl Streep could take home her first Oscar in three decades for a powerful turn as former British premier Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," in a battle against cross-dressing Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

Rooney Mara, who plays damaged hacker Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is also in the running for the best actress prize, as is Michelle Williams for her turn as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn."

But Oscar watchers say they could all be beaten by Viola Davis, whose role as a black maid in "The Help" -- set in Mississippi against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights struggle -- has earned her an outpouring of praise.

Davis' co-star Octavia Spencer is seen as a top contender in the best supporting actress category. Castmate Jessica Chastain is also nominated along with Berenice Bejo from "The Artist" and Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids."

Janet McTeer rounds out the category with her gender-bending turn opposite Close in "Albert Nobbs."

"The Help" is also among the nine movies nominated for best picture, along with "War Horse," "The Artist," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris," "Hugo" and powerful 9/11 film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."

Also up for the top prize is Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," which won the coveted Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

Supporting actor top tips are Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" and Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud." Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn," Jonah Hill in "Moneyball" and Nick Nolte in "Warrior" are also in the race.

The easy foreign language film frontrunner is Iran's "A Separation," which has already won a series of awards season prizes including a Spirit Award on Saturday. It competes against films from Belgium, Canada, Israel and Poland.

Oscars kicks off with laughs as 'Artist' eyes gold

Veteran Oscars host Billy Crystal launched Hollywood's biggest night with a spoof video skit featuring the year's key nominees, as silent film "The Artist" eyed Academy Awards gold

Actor Billy Crystal hosts the ceremony of the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

Hosting the show for his ninth time, he appeared in a series of clips beginning with a black-and-white nod to the French-directed movie, featuring stars including Justin Bieber and George Clooney -- who kissed Crystal.

The "When Harry Met Sally" star then launched into a song and dance routine also including references to other movies including Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" and Clooney's Hawaiian-themed family drama "The Descendants."

Hollywood's biggest night was expected to be a battle between two odes to film-making -- French-directed black-and-white movie "The Artist" and Scorsese's 3D adventure "Hugo."

The first two awards of the night went to "Hugo" -- about the French grandfather of early cinema, Georges Melies -- for cinematography and art direction.

But the spectacle began even before the curtain went up, with the usual procession of glamour gowns on the red carpet leading into the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season.

British comic Sacha Baron Cohen also pulled a colorful stunt, defying a warning against coming dressed as the star of his latest movie -- and pouring the faux ashes of late North Korean leader Jim Kong-Il onto the red carpet.

The list of presenters is chock full of heavy-hitters -- last year's best actress and actor Natalie Portman and Colin Firth will join Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks and Angelina Jolie among others.

"Hugo" went into the show with the most nominations, at 11, with "The Artist" just behind on 10.

Scorsese is not the only legendary director in the mix -- Woody Allen is in the running for best picture honors for his comeback hit "Midnight in Paris," and Steven Spielberg will gun for the top prize with "War Horse."

Buddies Clooney and Brad Pitt will duke it out for best actor, but "Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has won a slew of awards for his portrayal of a struggling silent-era movie star, could best them both.

Clooney downplayed his hopes of winning best actor before the show, saying: "I have a feeling in the best actor race you're going to hear someone speaking French."

Meryl Streep could take home her first Oscar in three decades for a powerful turn as former British premier Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," in a battle against cross-dressing Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

Rooney Mara, who plays damaged hacker Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is also in the running for the best actress prize, as is Michelle Williams for her turn as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn."

But Oscar watchers say they could all be beaten by Viola Davis, whose role as a black maid in "The Help" -- set in Mississippi against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights struggle -- has earned her an outpouring of praise.

Davis' co-star Octavia Spencer is seen as a top contender in the best supporting actress category. Castmate Jessica Chastain is also nominated along with Berenice Bejo from "The Artist" and Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids."

Janet McTeer rounds out the category with her gender-bending turn opposite Close in "Albert Nobbs."

"The Help" is also among the nine movies nominated for best picture, along with "War Horse," "The Artist," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris," "Hugo" and powerful 9/11 film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."

Also up for the top prize is Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," which won the coveted Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

Supporting actor top tips are Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" and Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud." Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn," Jonah Hill in "Moneyball" and Nick Nolte in "Warrior" are also in the race.

The easy foreign language film frontrunner is Iran's "A Separation," which has already won a series of awards season prizes including a Spirit Award on Saturday. It competes against films from Belgium, Canada, Israel and Poland.

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'The Artist,' Jean Dujardin and Meryl Streep take top honors at Oscars

The film "The Artist" won top honors at the Academy Awards Sunday, taking the Best Picture prize and marking the first time in 83 years that a silent film has won the Oscar.

French Director Michel Hazanavicius kisses his wife Berenice Bejo after "The Artist" won for Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012 Photo: Reuters

The black-and-white comic melodrama took four prizes Sunday, including best picture, actor for Jean Dujardin and director for Michel Hazanavicius. Not since the World War I saga "Wings" was named outstanding picture at the first Oscars in 1929 had a silent film earned the top prize.

Meryl Streep won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."

Streep played the British prime minister as a senile retiree, as well as a hectoring, dominant figure who instilled fear and respect in her own cabinet. At the film's pinnacle, Streep as Thatcher is the backbone of a nation that goes to war over the distant Falkland Islands after Argentina invades in 1982.

Streep, 62, won best actress for her 17th Oscar nomination, the most times any performer has been nominated by the Academy.

Her third win put her in a category with other three-time Oscar winners Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan and Ingrid Bergman. Only Katharine Hepburn with four wins had more.

Christopher Plummer took home his first Oscar Sunday in a career that has spanned more than five decades for his role in the film "Beginners."

Plummer's victory in the Best Supporting Actor category made history, with the 82-year-old being the oldest person ever to win the award.

"You're only two years older than me, darling," Plummer said, addressing his Oscar statue in this 84th year of the awards. "Where have you been all my life? I have a confession to make. When I first emerged from my mother's womb, I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech."

The previous oldest winner was best-actress recipient Jessica Tandy for "Driving Miss Daisy," at age 80.

Octavia Spencer took home the first big acting honor of the night, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Help."

Spencer's Oscar triumph came for her role as a headstrong black maid whose willful ways continually land her in trouble with white employers in 1960s Mississippi.

"Thank you, academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room," Spencer said, referring to last year's supporting-actor winner Christian Bale, who presented her Oscar.

Her brash character holds a personal connection: "The Help" author Kathryn Stockett based some of the woman's traits on Spencer, whom she met through childhood pal Tate Taylor, the director of the film.

Before taking the stage, Spencer got kisses from "The Help" co-stars Viola Davis, a best-actress nominee, and Jessica Chastain, a fellow supporting nominee.

"I share this with everybody," Spencer said.

"The Artist's" director Michel Hazanavicius won the Best Director Award for the silent film.

Claiming Hollywood's top-filmmaking honor Sunday completes Hazanavicius' sudden rise from popular movie-maker back home in France to internationally celebrated director.

Host Billy Crystal kicked things off with a kiss from actor George Clooney in a parody of the film “The Descendants.” The scene was part of his opening montage, which also included his signature goofy song.

Crystal joked about his return to his gig as host, saying “this is my ninth time – just call me War Horse.”

Martin Scorsese's adventure "Hugo" won the first two prizes of the night, claiming the Oscars for cinematography and art direction.

"Marty, you're a genius as usual," said "Hugo" cinematographer Robert Richardson, who won his third Oscar after previous wins for "JFK" and Scorsese's "The Aviator."

The wins for "Hugo" were a blow to best-picture favorite "The Artist," which lost in both categories. "The Artist" ran second to "Hugo" with 10 nominations.

The red carpet had its highlights as well, with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen walking the carpet dressed as a Moammar Qaddafi-like dictator for his upcoming film, “The Dictator.” The actor then managed to spill what he claimed to be the ashes of the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il all over E! News host, Ryan Seacrest.

His stunt got him bum rushed by Oscar security.

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Finnish choir to perform in Hanoi

Dominante, one of the most famous Finnish choirs, will perform in Hanoi for the first time on March 6, according to the Embassy of Finland on February 27.

Dominante choir (Source: Finnish Embassy)

Founded in 1975 as a student choir at Helsinki University of Technology campus, it still consists mostly of students of Aalto University, University of Helsinki and the Sibelius Academy. During the past three decades, Dominante has become a desired choral performer in Finland thanks to its versatile repertoire, ranging from traditional to ultramodern choral music and from musicals to orchestral works.

Dominante has appeared on more than twenty recordings. For its latest a cappella recording entitled “Lempeä”, Dominante was given the “Record of the Year” award by the Finnish Choral Directors’ Association in 2009. In 2010, it participated in the recordings of the complete works of Jean Sibelius for the BIS record label.

Dominante's performances of these choral works for mixed choir have been critically acclaimed across Europe, with many quartets and quintets winning prizes in national contests. The choir has also toured the world on a yearly basis and visited countries on all continents.

“Visiting Vietnam for the first time, the choir is eager to bring Finnish music closer to local audiences. Consisting of youthful, dynamic and dedicated musicians, I believe that Dominante will consolidate the cultural bridge between Finland and Vietnam,” said Finnish Ambassador in Vietnam Kimmo Lähdevirta.

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Foreigners sing Trinh’s music to celebrate his birthday

A music show featuring 3 foreigners singing songs of the late legendary musician Trinh Cong Son to mark his 73th birthday will be held in Ho Chi Minh City in 3 nights from tonight.

British singer Lee Kirby Photo: Leekirby.com

They include Lee Kirby from the UK and Richard Fuller and Kyo York from America.

“I and people who love Trinh Cong Son’s music want to sing “Diem Xua,” ”Bien Nho,” and , “Uot Mi,” to know more about his love with this life,” said singer Anh Tuye, owner of ATB Music Lounge where the show will take place. , said.

Local singer The Vinh, pianist and musician Nguyen Anh 9, guitarist Hoang Minh and saxophonist Quang Khai will also share the stage.

Lee Kirby is not new too many young Internet users in Vietnam via due to his sweet covers of Trinh’s music. In 2010, he made embarked on a tour, titled “Tra Da Voi Lee” (Iced Tea With Lee), across Vietnam.

The 27-year-old man Kyo York first came to Vietnam to be an English teacher. But after he listened to some Vietnamese songs and got obsession became obsessed with Vietnamese music, he has kept continued learning and performing Vietnamese songs.

First came to arriving in Vietnam in the late 1960s, Richard Fuller is now lives living in HCMC and teaching teaches English. With a strong love to of Trinh’s music, he learned Vietnamese and hypnotized many lovers of Trinh’s music lovers with his emotional performances. Fuller also translated some songs of the late composer’s songs into English.

Trinh Cong Son has captured the hearts of many with large number of people’s heart by his melodious and philosophical songs. The musician’s drew works got inspiration from his love to the of life and to the people around him. Recently, a series of love letters expressing his overwhelming love for Ngo Vu Dao Anh, the love of his life, has have been published, giving chances for fans a chance to understand more about the life of the talented musician.

The show will take place at the music lounge at 197/4 Nguyen Van Troi Street in Phu Nhuan District.

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Tuyet Lan performs Indian fashion in New York

The runner-up of Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2010 Tuyet Lan joined the show of Indian-origin designer Sushma Patel in the Couture Fashion Week in New York on the evening of February 17.

The Vietnamese model was among several Asian models in the show, besides some Indian colleagues. One day later, she appeared in the show of designer Kostas Gasgasoules.

Tuyet Lan performs a design by Kostas Gasgasoules

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Contestants of Dancing with the Stars 2012 selected

Actor Quach Ngoc Ngoan, actresses Minh Hang and Anh Thu, beauty queen Hoang My and singer Phuong Thanh are among contestants of the third season of Dancing with the Stars reality show, which is called “Universal Steps” in Vietnam.

Actor Quach Ngoc Ngoan (left) who won the third prize at the “Just the Two of US” reality show 2011 is invited to join “Universal Steps 2012”

Last year, singer Minh Hang was a guest of the show. This year, she will be a contestant

The first runner-up of Miss Vietnam 2010 Hoang My is also invited to take part in the competition

Actress Minh Thu (left) and model Truong Nam Thanh, who ranked fourth at the Manhunt 2011 pageant are also competitors

Singer Phuong Thanh (left) is practicing for the competition

Actor Huynh Dong (left) and actress Van Trang (next) are considered as “surprises” of the show

MC Tuan Tu and singer Minh Quan were in Hanoi, so they did not attend the press conference of “Universal Steps 2012” with other eight competitors

The new feature of this year’s show is contestants to practice for several weeks before the competition with dancer Alex, who took part in the Universal Steps 2011. The first of the ten shows will take place on March 18 at Hanoi’s Quan Ngua Sports House

Korean stars to perform in Vietnam

A number of Korean artists will join a concert in Hanoi on March 15 to mark the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-Republic of Korea diplomatic ties.

Among famous bands and artists in the spotlight are scheduled to take part in the event including Super Junior, Sistar, Beast, T-ara, CNBLUE, Davichi, and Secret bands and IU and Trot Park Huyn-bin singers.

The event’s director and KBS staff are in Vietnam to prepare for the programme.

Famous bands and singers

Super Junior

Secret

Beast

Young singer IU

Davichi

Park Huyn-bin

Sistar

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Doctor fears STDs, abortions after Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is not a happy one for ob-gyn doctors as the romantic night often leads to surging demands for abortion and STD examinations, a Hanoi doctor said.

Ob-gyn hospitals and clinics say they receive a high number of women with unexpected pregnancy in the weeks following big holidays like the New Year's, Christmas, and especially Valentine’s Day.

Meanwhile, many men come for examinations anxious about sexually transmitted diseases because they didn't have lovers and slept with prostitutes instead, said the doctor from the capital.

A Monday report on news website VnExpress said that many hotels and guest houses run out of rooms on the night of Valentine's day.

Doctors said the worrying thing is that few of the couples, especially unmarried ones, are using birth control measures.

“A month after the Valentine, the number of women coming to my clinic, as well as others, always surges, or even doubles,” said Le Thi Kim Dung, an ob-gyn doctor at the Labor Health Center in Hanoi.

“I don’t pass judgment on people having sex because it’s a physical need," she said. "But the problem is that young people have to be aware of what they do, of the consequences, so that they can take preventive measures.”

Dung said one of the simple measures to prevent unexpected pregnancy and STDs is using condoms, but many young people chose not to. Many say they forgot, or were afraid that their partners would resist because using a prophylactic reduces the pleasure of sex.

A recent national survey on Vietnam’s teenagers and young people showed that 95 percent of the respondents know about condoms but were unwilling to use them, the report said.

“Another reason is some people believe their partners are healthy," Dung said. "But once you are having unprotected sex, it means you are completely at risk of having an unexpected pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

The doctor said STD infection rates can be very high. 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women become infected after just one unprotected sexual encounter with an infected partner.

She said people cannot know if someone has an STD or not just by looking, adding that around 70 percent of women and 50 percent of men infected with Chlamydia bacterium show no symptoms.

“There are people with good immune systems that do not show symptoms but can still transmit the diseases.”

Taking preventive measures is easier than having to come to a clinic to cure a disease or have an abortion afterwards, Dung said.

She suggested people bring condoms whenever they go out or on a vacation, even when they do not plan to have sex.

Thanh Nien News

Vietnamese models to attend New York Fashion Week

Photo by Milor Tran. Tuyet Lan (L) and Hoang Thuy(R) will attend in New York Fashion Week 2012 with model Ngoc Thach.

Hoang Thuy, Tuyet Lan and Ngoc Thach will be the first three trailblazing Vietnamese models to catwalk New York Fashion Week 2012 February 13 – 19.

This is the first time Vietnamese models will appear at the event, which takes place twice a year in Manhattan's Bryant Park and features famous designers showing off their latest collections for the upcoming season.

The promising models will showcase the work of noted designers Korto Momolu and Laurel DeWitt.

Hoang Thuy shot to fame when she won Vietnam's Next Top Model’s on January 8 in a special show featuring the attendance of supermodel Tyra Banks.

Tuyet Lan was the runner-up of Vietnam Next Top Model’s first season in 2010 and won the Asian Model Search 2011 contest in Singapore last year.

Ngoc Thach won the Vietnam Supermodel contest in 2010.

New York Fashion Week is hosted by the Council of Fashion Designer of America (CFDA) and is one of the top four global fashion weeks, together with the same events in London, Paris and Milan.

The event features celebrities, models, designers and the press partying and previewing clothes for the spring collection in September and winter collection in February.

Thanh Nien News

Vietnamese horror film hits theatres

Ngoi Nha Trong Hem (House in the Alley), a horror film about terrible secrets occurring in the house of a young couple whose marriage is heading for a break-up, will be screened at local cinemas on February 14.

Produced by US-based Coco Paris LLC, the film was directed and written by overseas Vietnamese Le Van Kiet, who graduated from the University of California , Los Angeles.

Kiet began to write the screenplay at the end of 2010 when he was staying in HCM City.

"The idea for the movie came out of an old two-storey house in a small valley in District 3 which I rented when I stayed in Vietnam ," Kiet said.

The movie features the life of a young couple, a housewife and a businessman, after they lose their first child.

The wife, Thao, is in such grief that she keeps a coffin of the child's corpse in her bedroom. Day by day, she becomes depressed and obsessed that her child is stolen from her.

Her husband, Thanh, tries to help his wife, but his efforts lead things out of control.

The couple are forced to fight against strange forces in their house.

Producer Tran Trong Dan said the movie shows that a sudden event can destroy people's lives.

"People need love and strength to put their life together again," he added.

Film stars actress Ngo Thanh Van and actor Tran Bao Son play the leading female and male roles.

"Thao is a complicated character," said Van, who starred in Dong Mau Anh Hung (Rebel) and Bay Rong (Clash).

She said the role is a challenge for her after two years of not filming.

Although House in the Alley has not been shown in Vietnam , it has received invitations to join several US film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York , Seattle International Film, Fantastic Festival in Houston, and Hawaii Film Festival.

The film's director and producer are continuing to cooperate in making another horror film Bay Cap 3 (The Level-3 Trap).

The film is about a group of young people from HCM City touring Da Lat and encountering strange situations there.

Dan said he has always wanted to make a film in Da Lat where he was born and grew up. The film is expected to be released later this year.

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Culture Ministry to consider photo scandal of Miss Vietnam 2006

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) has stated that it had never announced to withdraw the Miss Vietnam title of Mai Phuong Thuy.

The Ministry said that it would assign a specialized agency to check Thuy’s photos before making the final decision.

The Ministry said that the photo shoot featuring Mai Phuong Thuy in ao dai are controversial works. Many people said that the Vietnamese traditional ao dai was abused to inappropriately show off the beauty of woman body. However, many photographers said that the photo shoot is “sexy,” not “erotic” and “it is unnecessary to restrict the creativeness of artists.”

The Ministry seems to be sympathetic with the Miss Vietnam 2006 because she took the photo shoot when she was only 20. However, the MoCST’s spokesperson, Mr. To Van Dong, said that the beauty queen should not make public these photos.

According to the Ministry, the “scandal” is a valuable lesson for beauty queens in using ao dai in photo shoots.

Mai Phuong Thuy’s ao dai photo shoots, which were taken four years ago, appeared on an online newspaper on February 3. The photo collection captured Thuy donning a sleek and transparent white ao dai in different sexy poses.

The shoot, 10 black and white photos of Thuy, accessorized with Vietnamese “non la” (cone hat) and symbolic lotus flowers, was done by photographer Quoc Huy.

A number of netizens have strongly criticized the photos, saying Thuy’s too erotic poses damaged the traditional and beautiful image of ao dai. Some said she only used the dress to show off her body’s curves.

However, another group of commentators praise Thuy’s body, arguing that the photos have captured the delicate, gentle and fragile image of Vietnamese women.

Thuy on February 8 sent an official apology to her fans for the controversial photo shoot. Thuy, in her apology letter, wrote that she was too young when she modeled for the shoot and her lack of modeling skills have probably sent the wrong message about the purpose of the photos.

“The whole team and I only aimed for aesthetic values in the photos. If we failed to deliver the message, we should really learn from the experience and improve ourselves.

“We certainly do not intend to tarnish the image of traditional ao dai and Vietnamese women. I apologized for all the inconveniences caused when you see these photos. I hope to have your sympathy and another chance to contribute to the community,” she wrote.

Mai Phuong Thuy in the controversial photo shoot:

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Future of top Vietnamese satirical TV show in doubt

Rumours that one of the Vietnam’s most loved television shows – the Kitchen Gods– an end of year satire performance may come to an end has sparked public dismay.

A tense argument between the Kitchen Gods of Education and Transport over changes to school hours

The show’s director, Do Thanh Hai, confirmed with DTiNews that a final decision had yet to be reached on the show, and that rumours of the hard-hitting satirical show facing the axe were mere media speculation.

The show has proved hugely popular as it features the antics of the Jade Emperor and his advisors dealing with the complaints, trials and tribulations of various petitioners representing current Vietnamese government ministers.

Topics on this year's end of year review included the controversial decision by the Ministry of Transport to change school hours, a spate of unexplained vehicle fires, violent disturbances in residential areas, bribery in the health sector, a standstill in the real estate market, high interest rates and financial difficulties, and the skimpy costumes worn by singers.

Audiences have expressed their surprise at the rumoured cancellation.

Hai said, “The reporter asked me what would I do if the show was halted. I told him that I’d not really thought about it being cancelled and I hadn’t any new projects in development”.

“We often map out a plan for the show by midyear. So, currently we’ve got no information about the future of this year’s show,” he noted.

Hai added that if the show continued to draw high viewing figures, they would do their utmost to ensure it would continue.

The show humorously criticises the problems Vietnam faces, including the economy, education, healthcare, transportation, and culture during the year.

The latest Tet’s show has received rave reviews for it’s brave and entertaining delivery.

‘Patients’ of the economic and healthcare industries drew great attention during the show

dtinews.vn

Studios roll out holiday movie offerings

A scence of Bui Thac Chuyen's "Song trong so hai". (Source: internet)

Filmmakers are spending a lot on special effects in the hope of luring moviegoers to cinemas this coming Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays.

Galaxy Studio, one of the country's leading private film companies, will release its supernatural thriller, Loi Nguyen Huyet Ngai (Blood Vow), a week before Tet.

It has spent around 25 billion VND (over 1.2 million USD) on the film which has plenty of visual and sound effects.

Directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, who is also one of the film's scriptwriters along with Bui Kim Quy, the film promises to appeal to both young audiences and adults.

"My film has fresh content and performances," Chuyen, whose first movie, the 2005 release Song Trong So Hai (Living in Fear), won the 2006 Shanghai International Film Festival's Asian New Talent Prize, said.

Loi Nguyen Huyet Ngai tells the story of Chieu Duong, a 16-year-old girl who has the mental make-up of a six-year-old following a traumatic incident during her childhood.

However, the incident gives her a strange power – the ability to read people's minds and foretell disasters.


Minh Chung's Le Phi Tinh Yeu (Love Fee) is a full-length comedy produced by Viet Film and featuring famous comedians like Hoai Linh, Hong Van and Viet Anh.

Chung has not changed his style because he thinks comedies are a perennial favourite with audiences, even more so during the festive season.

"My film features comedy, exciting action, and serious issues like love and life", the director, who has the reputation of making quality comedies, said.

With its young and attractive cast, including pop idols Minh Hang and Tieu Chau Nhu Quynh, the film is expected to be a draw with young audiences.

Another comedy, Hello Co Ba (Hello Ms Ba), made by the industry's biggest name, Phuoc Sang, is also in the offing. It focuses on rural life.

Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu's Thien Menh Anh Hung (Born to Be a Hero) is a martial arts flick.

Based on a novel by well-known writer Bui Anh Tan, the film is about the secrets of a famous family during the time of the Le Dynasty, including the tragic love of Nguyen Vu, the family's only son, for Hoa Xuan, a kungfu artist.

The co-producers, Saiga Film and Phuong Nam, signed up dozens of skilled make-up artists and fashion designers for the film.

Le Hoang has made a serious film, Toi Nay, 8 Gio (Tonight at 8pm). The veteran, who began the film after asking himself why poor young women could not dream of changing their destiny, says: "Tonight at 8pm" revolves around the daily lives and efforts of four girls to overcome difficulties to achieve a better life."

"I thinks young audiences will identify with the girls."

Hoang made his mark with the wildly popular Gai Nhay (Bar Girls) and its sequel in 2003 and 2005, and is thought to be instrumental in introducing escapist fare in Vietnam.

His film is the only one expected to buck the trend of the holiday season which is invariably dominated by comedies and light fare./.

vietnamplus.vn