AAAFF 2024: Fanti/Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Reviews)

*Writer’s Note: This past weekend, I attended this year’s Austin Asian American Film Festival. I had a wonderful time at this amazing festival watching these two vastly different films, “Fanti” and “Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell.” This article consists of two reviews for each of these films.*

“Fanti”

Directed by: Andy Nguyen

Written by: Andy Nguyen & Luigi Campi

Starring: Nguyen Lam Thao Tam, Thu Anh Ho, Khanh Le, Vo Dien Gia Huy and Hoang Son

Synopsis: A social media influencer is trying to make it in the film industry as an actress. Her anonymous online stalker will do anything to make it happen. At first, it seems like a stranger helping her rise to stardom. However, it quickly takes a dark turn when this insta-stalker starts to infiltrate everything and everyone in her personal life, turning it upside down.

Review: Released almost a year ago in its native country of Vietnam, “Fanti” has made its Texas debut at the Austin Film Society Cinema. This Vietnamese-language film follows Anh Duong, an up and coming social media influencer trying to get a role in a remake of a Korean horror film. Nabbing the small role of the lead final girl’s sister, she longs for more success. Unluckily for her, she has gained an anonymous super fan (that communicates only through emojis), that cyber-hacks their way through her colleagues to help Anh attain the lead role. Using blackmail, the stalker gets her the lead role (for the last 15 mins of the film-within-a film) but what follows is a series of twists, secrets and deception. It’s a cautionary tale that shows the danger of social media and the price of fame.

Nothing is better than watching something in a theater with a crowd that is absolutely digging the film that’s being projected onto the screen. “Fanti” is a fast paced stylish comedy-thriller (with a dash of horror) that is a highly entertaining crowd pleaser. This is mostly due to the neon-drenched visuals, exceptional camera work and a super twisty hilarious script that takes the viewer on a wild ride. Balancing tones can be a challenge but director Andy Nguyen makes it look easy. One second you’re on the edge of your seat and the next you’re falling out of it because this film is so clever with its humor. This film goes left when you’re expecting it to go right and I got such a kick out of it. This is also a showcase for the multifaceted performances from this cast of characters. From Anh’s overbearing mother, her rich boyfriend, her jealous co-star to her eager talent manager, your perspective of these characters at the beginning of the film vastly changes by the time the credits roll. “Fanti” is a film you go in completely in the dark, it’s best remained unspoiled. I hope this film is released in the US soon because this film deserves a huge set of eyes. I can’t wait to see what Andy Nguyen does next.

Score: 8.5/10

“Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell”

Directed & Written by: Pham Thien An

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

Synopsis: A young man’s sister-in-law tragically dies in a motorcycle accident while her 5 year old son survives. This leads the young man on a spiritual journey as he takes her body and her boy back to her village. While on this journey he decides to look for his missing brother to figure out what happened to him and why he abandoned his family.

Review: Before seeing this film, all I knew was that it won the Caméra d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and it was a lengthy film clocking in at almost 3 hours. I was very excited to see a film so highly acclaimed and I understand why it’s so highly regarded. Unfortunately, personally, I didn’t receive what others got out of this film. The direction from Pham Thien An is masterful, with such precise, unique, breathtaking filmmaking on display. The thing that just didn’t entirely click with me, was the extremely slow pacing. At times it did feel hypnotic and its “fly on the wall” approach like you’re eavesdropping on these conversations did add to the human element of the film. Other times it felt very tedious and my patience started to wane. The acting is fantastic, it’s a very grounded film and all of the characters felt immensely authentic. This is an example of a film that I have great respect for more than I personally enjoyed it.

Score: 6/10

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell is out now on digital retailers. Fanti has yet to be released in the US.

Be sure to check out the Austin Asian American Film Festival website to get updates on events and next year’s festival: www.aaafilmfest.org 

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