This is the third full feature film by Bui Thac Chuyen, and the second time we worked together, after “Adrift”. But for me, it was the first time I’d worked in the « fantastic » genre. The shooting was difficult because of the conditions, but enthralling. We shot mainly at night, in extreme humidity. Choosing the right microphones was essential. In Asia, people tend to use the Sennheiser MKH series, because they’re sturdy and stand humidity quite well. But they don’t always sound best. In wet regions like Viet-nam, using Shoeps mikes is almost impossible, because they are too sensitive to humidity. The other option is to use Neumann microphones. I had done that for Vertiges. With care and good organization, you can use them. Silica gel packets and airtight boxes necessary ! I thus used for this film KM185 s (a little less efficient in humidity than KM150s), KMR81s and Oktava MK012s. Of course, there always was a MKH 60 at hand, to avoid problems. And Sanken COS 11s and Audio Limited DX2020s for wireless mikes. The recorder was a Sound Devices 788T. We used two RED cameras. Specifically, the genre of the film, the fantastic, requires a frequent use of the steadycam, which is rarely compatible with direct sound. Together with my assistants, to get a good sound, I had to re-record many scenes right after we’de shot them. This allowed to retain the actors enthusiasm and dynamics, because they’d just shot the scene and remembered their moves, etc. Soething we could call « live postproduction ».

Synopsis

Three medical students find out that the legendary « Devil’s tree », « Huyet Ngai », really exists. They decide to try and find where it is. Day after day, they will uncover its power, to heal or to kill. Behind the legend lie true scary stories.

Technical specs – IMDB

Fiction film, by Bui Thac Chuyen (1h35)
Viet-nam – 2011
With Nsut Than Loc, Hoang Phan Anh, Nguyen Thuy Duong, Trinh Minh Huy, Do Van Hoang, Tran Thi Hanh, NSND Nhu Quynh, Ha Van Hieu.
Directed by Bui Thac Chuyen

Script : Bui Thac Chuyen et Bui Kim Quy
Camera : Ly Thai Dung
Location recordist : Arnaud Soulier
Sound assistants and boom operators : Hoang Thu Thuy, Le Hoang Anh, Phan Trung Tien
Sound designer and mixer : Franck Desmoulins
Assistant Sound designer : Hoang Thu Thuy
Editing : Julie Beziau
Music : Dang Tue Nguyen
Production : Galaxy Studio Vietnam

Release Dates – IMDB