Korea’s Barunson E&A has picked up world sales rights to Vietnamese horror-comedy “Don’t Cry Butterfly.” Sales will be launched this week at the Cannes Market.
Written and directed by Duong Dieu Linh, the Hanoi-set film follows a housewife who uses voodoo to try and get her cheating husband fall back into love with her, but instead invites a mysterious presence into the house.
The film marks the feature film directorial debut of Duong Dieu Linh, and is also a companion piece to her award-winning short film series about middle-aged women. These include “A Trip to Heaven,” “Sweet, Salty” and “Mother, Daughter, Dreams.” As with the shorts, “Butterfly” explores recurring themes of womanhood, family relations and cultural traditions, and is told through a quirky sense of humor and use of magical realism.
“We are excited to be a part of Duong Dieu Linh’s captivating debut, as we truly believe that she is a filmmaker with unique style and voice […] ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’ occasionally presents humorous moments as it explores themes such as men’s infidelity and voodoo, yet it also offers a resonating portrayal of the lives of two women, a mother and daughter, living in Vietnam in the 2000s,” said Sylvie Kim, head of international business at Barunson E&A.
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Production of the film was initiated by Tan Si En at Singapore-based Momo Film Co. She was joined byYulia Evina Bhara of Indonesian production outfit KawanKawan Media (“Autobiography”) and later by Wilfredo Manalang, who was one of the producers of 2022’’s Cannes’ Japanese hit “Plan 75,” through his Philippines-based Fusee consortium. The U.K.’s Adeline Arts and Science is also on board.
“This is a special film that is made with incredibly talented collaborators. Duong Dieu Linh is a director to look out for and I am thrilled that Barunson E&A, a leading company with world-renowned projects, will be championing it,” said Tan.
“Don’t Cry, Butterfly” will be Barunson E&A’s third non-Korean feature for international sales, following Taiwanese romantic comedy “Miss Shampoo,” directed by Giddens Ko and produced by Machi Xcelsior Studios, and Indonesian horror film “Respati,” directed by Sidharta Tata and produced by base Entertainment.
The company’s upcoming slate also includes the next two features from director Bong Joon Ho, as well as projects from directors Kim Sung-hoon (“Ransomed,” “Kingdom”) and Um Tae-hwa (“Concrete Utopia”).
The deal for “Don’t Cry, Butterfly” was arranged by Lorna Tee, who advises on international acquisitions for Barunson E&A.
