According to information from the producer, "Red Land" is not only a regular film project but also carries a memorial meaning, towards the 75th anniversary of Vo Thi Sau's death (1952 - 2027). The film is expected to start filming in the third quarter of 2026 and be released in theaters in 2027, with the expectation of spreading historical value and patriotism to the younger generation.
Unlike previous versions, "Red Land" chooses a more realistic and direct approach. Instead of just depicting the epic heroic image, the film focuses on the journey of a 13-year-old girl full of emotions, from innocent and loving life to being drawn into the fierce vortex of war.
The film's setting stretches from the Long My war zone to the Ba Ria base area, recreating a suffocating space where war is not only battles but also the erosion of human bodies and spirits. Images such as "tiger cages", "bull cages", lime powder or rusty iron are exploited in a direct experience direction, aiming to create a realistic and haunting feeling for viewers.
Director Le Van Kiet - the person behind the films "Hai Phuong", "Bong De" - said that he will use modern cinematic language combined with psychological depth to retell the story. This is considered a turning point in the way of exploiting historical topics, towards being closer to contemporary audiences.
Notably, the project also officially opens large-scale casting for many character lines. The role of Vo Thi Sau is sought in the age range of 13 - 19, requiring to show a transformation from innocent to resilient. Besides, there are a series of supporting characters such as Hai, Lan, Chi or Mr. Hoi, Mrs. Dau - important pieces creating an emotional war painting.
According to the producer, participating actors need to have good physical strength, ready for scenes in harsh conditions such as mud, smoke, fire or tunnels. This shows that the filmmaking direction is leaning towards real-life experiences, emphasizing authenticity instead of just stopping at the level of image reproduction.
