HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s war epic Mưa Đỏ (Red Rain) is set to compete in the preliminary round of the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) confirmed this week.

The announcement placed the Vietnamese film among 86 eligible entries, including four others from the Southeast Asian region: Sore: A Wife from the Future (Indonesia), Pavane for an Infant (Malaysia), Magellan (the Philippines) and Stranger Eyes (Singapore).

Adapted from a novel of Chu Lai, who also wrote the screenplay, and directed by Đặng Thái Huyền, Red Rain draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quảng Trị Citadel in 1972. Facing defeat, US and South Vietnamese forces launched a brutal counteroffensive in a bid to shift momentum at the international negotiating table.

The Việt Nam Cinema Department said the film, set during the revolutionary war, delivers a realistic and moving portrayal of the nation’s heroic history, honouring the courage and sacrifices of soldiers. Critics and audiences alike have praised its humanistic storytelling, meticulous cinematography, emotional score and convincing performances.

After a month in cinemas, the blockbuster attracted more than 8.1 million viewers, the highest in Việt Nam’s box office history, and earned VNĐ710 billion (US$27 million), making it a record. Producer Nguyễn Thu Dung, who is also head of the People’s Army Cinema, said the box office result "exceeded expectations".

The Cinema Department confirmed that Red Rain’s inclusion on the list of international feature films not only reflects the rising stature of Vietnamese cinema but also highlights the growing prominence of Southeast Asia in the Oscar arena.

Meanwhile, director Đặng Thái Huyền said the film made a small contribution to reaffirming the relevance of war and revolutionary films in modern Vietnamese cinema.

Preliminary voting will take place from December 8 to 12, with the shortlist of 15 films revealed on December 16. The final five nominations are expected to be announced on 22 January 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre on 15 March 2026 and broadcast live on ABC.

While pleased with the nomination, Huyền remained grounded, seeing it above all as a meaningful source of encouragement.

“Our young film industry, compared with the global market, is like a little boy walking on a highway – every small step forward is already an achievement. We are clear-eyed, free of illusions; we know exactly where we stand. And that, in itself, is a joy,” she said.

Early next month, Red Rain will make its international debut during Việt Nam Cinema Week – Journey of Light in France. Organisers said the film has already proved hugely popular, with ticket sales unable to meet the demand of thousands of guests, and additional screenings are expected to accommodate audiences. — OVN/VNS