Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (2023)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film: 179 Minutes

Rated: Unrated

Genre: Drama

Director: Thien An Pham

Starring: Le Phong Vu, Nguyen Thinh, Vu Ngoc Manh, Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh, Nguyen Van Lu’u, Phi Dieu

IMDB Rank: 6.8 /10

Part 1 Time:  99 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  80 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Thien (Le Phong Vu) and Trung (Vu Ngoc Manh) fish at a pond.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I believe that everything is God’s plan,” states Trung.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Are you cold?” Thien asks Dao (Nguyen Thinh) as they arrive outside a school.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, as Thien and Trung try to come to an understanding of divine will.

Which part is better? The film is extremely slow with many scenes consisting of long shots and drawn out dialogue scenes. The film explores the concept of grief as the protagonist, Thien grieves his sister-in-law (Teresa). Part one is somewhat better as Thien reconnects with various members within the village, while also bonding with Teresa’s five year old son Dao.

Academy Awards: None

Other Awards: 2023 Cannes Film Festival; Golden Camera (Winner), Director’s Fortnight (Nominated)