Vietnamese Remake of Hit Japanese Comedy ‘One Cut of the Dead’ Coming Soon
A Vietnamese remake of the acclaimed Japanese independent film “One Cut of the Dead” is slated for release on April 24th, coinciding with Vietnam’s Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the April 30th – May 1st holidays, according to Vietnam Plus state news agency.
The film, titled “Blood Moon Feast 8,” centers on Tam OK, played by Van Son, an amateur filmmaker specializing in low-budget productions. Tam decides to create a more ambitious film to impress his daughter. Director Phan Gia Nhật Linh intends to infuse the adaptation with details specific to Vietnamese cinema, offering a playful critique of the industry while expressing appreciation for his colleagues.
“This is a love letter to my profession and my co-workers,” Linh stated, as reported by Vietnam Plus. “Even if this love letter is a bit sentimental, it’s a heartfelt expression of affection for my fellow filmmakers.”
The original “One Cut of the Dead,” released in 2017, gained international recognition for its innovative single-grab filming technique and comedic approach to the zombie horror genre. Shot on a budget of approximately $27,000 (roughly 612 million Vietnamese Dong at the time of production), the film became a box office success, earning nearly $27.6 million, and garnered positive reviews, achieving a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb and a 100% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Linh acknowledged the challenge of remaking such a well-regarded film, stating his willingness to accept any feedback. “In recent years, I have accepted both praise and criticism, and I appreciate both. If someone calls the film trash, I accept that too. That’s perfectly normal for me,” he said.
Linh further emphasized the spirit of the original film, stating, “I am proud of ‘Blood Moon Feast 8’ as the film embodies the same spirit as the title of the original film: ‘We film until death separates us.’ Once we start filming, we don’t stop; once we start, we can’t stop.”
Producer Charlie Nguyễn and Linh believe the film’s unique structure will resonate with audiences, anticipating “extreme satisfaction and non-stop laughter” for those who navigate the first 35 minutes and understand the central plot.
The cast includes Van Son, Meritorious Artist Duc Khue, Hua Vi Van, Hong Anh, Le Khanh, Quang Minh, Lien Binh Phat, Quang Minh, Miu Le, and Lam Thanh My. The film’s release date aligns with a significant national holiday period in Vietnam.
According to Maple Knoll, a “blood moon tetrad” is a series of four total lunar eclipses occurring on Jewish holy days over a two-year period, a relatively rare astronomical event. The term “blood moon” refers to the reddish hue the moon takes on during a total lunar eclipse. The significance of this astronomical phenomenon to the film’s title is not explicitly stated in available reporting.