The overhead shot in the teaser for the movie 'Tunnels' introduces the entire battlefield, with images of smoke and fire from bombs and bullets from American tanks as they swept through and cornered the guerrillas, forcing them to surrender.
The teaser of the movie "Tunnels" introduces the dramatic atmosphere of the war inspired by the Cedar Falls raid (1967). The fly-cam angle introduces the whole battlefield, with images of smoke and fire from bombs and bullets of American tanks sweeping, pressing down on the guerrillas, forcing them to surrender. Forests were burned, many people sacrificed when being bombed.
The tunnels - one of the main settings of the film - are revealed, with narrow underground tunnels, requiring people to bend over when moving. In the light of oil lamps, a group of 21 guerrillas - led by Bay Theo (played by Thai Hoa) - are assigned to protect a strategic intelligence group, newly taken refuge at the base.
The director said the setting was the film's biggest challenge. The crew built a 250-meter-long model, because the real tunnel had a small diameter and couldn't place a camera. For the scene where the bomb exploded above ground and the tunnel was shaken, the producers built a large platform, placed the model on top, and then hired an engineer to design a machine that generated vibrations at the right frequency.
When filming the scene where the village was destroyed, the crew used explosives to create about 50 bomb craters. The producers rented 6 hectares of forest to create a fire scene but had to ensure that it did not affect the environment.
Actors like Thai Hoa, Quang Tuan, and Ho Thu Anh spent months preparing their knowledge and health. The crew was supported by the Ho Chi Minh City Command so that the actors could practice shooting with real bullets at the training ground or practice physical strength and fighting with knives for a whole month.
The film is a war-romance film, made from socialized budget, expected to be released in April 2025, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of national reunification.
The director spent 10 years preparing the project, focusing on recreating the patriotism of the people of the South. The film took more than two months to film, including many scenes in Cu Chi.
TB (summary)