In Conversation with Vo Thanh Hoa, Director of Prism of Youth

Prism of Youth is adapted from the novel by renowned Vietnamese writer Nguyễn Nhật Ánh. Beloved across Vietnam, his works depict coming-of-age tales vividly through delicate prose.

As a youthful fantasy comedy, the film breaks the monotonous narrative mold of conventional teen dramas by weaving teenage confusion together with fantastical adventures. During their final vacation before graduating, the protagonists stumble upon a string of bizarre incidents revolving around ghosts. They embark on a joint quest to unravel the ghostly mystery, encountering slapstick comedic moments alongside the confusion and struggles of growing up. These include adolescent inferiority and pretentious bravado, misunderstandings and mutual protection among friends, fears of an unforeseen future, and the journey to self-identity.

Vo Thanh Hoa

Renowned Vietnamese director

Representative works include Ghost Hospital, Scandal Makers, Sister Thirteen – Three Days of Life and Death, The Billion Key, Super Easy Job, and Prism of Youth

Q1:

Congratulations again on winning the Asian Best Director Award of the Asian Honor Section at the 3rd Cambodia Asian Film Festival. How did you feel upon hearing the news, and what would you like to share?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“I was both surprised and deeply grateful when I received the news. This award is not only personal recognition but also an acknowledgment of the collective efforts behind Prism of Youth. We created this film with complete sincerity and refined every detail. Its recognition at an international film festival reinforces my conviction that works rooted in authentic stories and cultural identities can spark meaningful cross-cultural dialogue across different backgrounds.”

Award Photo of Prism of Youth

Q2:

Prism of Youth is an adaptation of a novel. How did you strike a balance between respecting the original work and injecting your personal directorial style? Did you add new plotlines tailored for cinematic storytelling beyond the source text?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“Prism of Youth holds collective memories shared by multiple generations, so remaining faithful to the spirit of the original novel was my top priority during adaptation. I focused on preserving its core themes such as friendship and innocence, while reinterpreting the tale with creative narrative structures and contemporary cinematic language. The film retains the familiarity of the original novel yet delivers a refreshing viewing experience. We carefully adjusted certain elements, especially narrative pacing and presentation styles, to fit modern audiences'aesthetic tastes. All revisions were guided by two core goals: honoring the essence of the source material and showcasing the film's unique artistic identity.”

Still of Prism of Youth

Q3:

As a youthful fantasy comedy centered on teenagers'growth and transformation, did you draw inspiration from the real lives of young Vietnamese people today to make timely updates to the characters? Are there any memorable behind-the-scenes anecdotes or creative insights you would like to share about character development?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“We closely observed the real lives of contemporary Vietnamese youth when crafting the characters. Even with fantasy elements woven into the plot, the emotional beats remain authentic. One standout feature of Prism of Youth is the interplay between veteran and young performers: seasoned actors preserve the classic charm of the original novel, while young cast members bring fresh energy and a bright teenage perspective.

I also strived to dig deeper into the characters' inner worlds within a modern context. Quy carries layered emotions; Tieu Long serves as a steady emotional anchor for his friends; Hanh stays gentle yet resilient through every trial. During filming, the young leads'natural chemistry and unfiltered innocence generated countless unexpected brilliant moments, making the characters vivid and relatable to audiences.”

Still of Prism of Youth

Q4:

The film's subtitle Blame It On The Ghost establishes its core fantasy premise. Could you share the inspiration behind this supernatural setup? How does it echo the protagonists'youthful adventures and bonds of friendship, further deepening the central coming-of-age theme?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“The subtitle Blame It On The Ghost draws from two stories in Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's original novel Prism of Youth: Con ma Con ma and Bat Den Hoa Su.

Bat Den Hoa Su conveys messages of compassion and loyalty, while Con ma Con ma plunges the characters into a thrilling, suspenseful world where they must confront their fears and overcome hardships. The ghost motif not only heightens excitement but also symbolizes the fears and obstacles every teenager faces on the path to maturity.

Though adapted from literary source material, the film stands as an independent complete work chronicling the coming-of-age journeys of three leads — Quy, Tieu Long and Hanh. Through their adventures, the protagonists learn to forgive, cherish friendship and face challenges bravely. The combination of veteran actors and rising young talents infuses the story with vitality, crafting an accessible, resonant narrative that maintains a lighthearted, captivating tone throughout.”

Q5:

What core emotions do you hope overseas audiences take away from this film? Is it the preciousness of youthful friendship and joy, relief over youthful regrets, or something else?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“Prism of Youth is a story about adolescence, friendship and growth. Regardless of cultural backgrounds, I hope international audiences can grasp the humanistic value and profound emotion embedded in the film. I want them to connect with universal teenage experiences: confronting fears, resolving conflicts, learning forgiveness and treasuring companionship. Beyond that, I hope they absorb the joy, positive energy and warmth the film delivers.”

Still of Prism of Youth

Q6:

Will you continue exploring youth-themed stories in future works? Or do you have plans to branch out into other genres? Would you consider collaborating with international crews to bring more Vietnamese local stories to global viewers?

Vo Thanh Hoa:

“Our team has long been committed to introducing Vietnamese indigenous stories to the global stage, and we are not limited exclusively to youth genres. While we will keep developing teenage-focused projects, our studio released the action comedy Fish, Fists and Ambergris in 2025. Following the success of our diverse recent titles such as Spirit Whisker and Red Nose, we will launch a horror feature in 2026. As for international cooperation, I remain fully open to cross-border collaborations — provided that stories are presented truthfully and retain distinct Vietnamese cultural characteristics. I firmly believe Vietnamese cinema boasts countless precious narratives worthy of global attention, as long as they are told in ways that resonate universally.”

Notes

Even separated by vast distances across the globe, we all share identical heartfelt feelings: the passion and confusion of youth, the preciousness and friction of friendship, the pains and catharsis of growing up, and the pursuit of dreams. Both Vietnamese domestic and overseas audiences can find pieces of themselves within the film, and taste the purest joy and courage of adolescence.

The beauty and perplexity of youth transcend all national borders. Wrapped in fantastical adventures, Prism of Youth lays bare genuine teenage struggles: loyal companions standing side by side, anxiety toward the unknown, and hard-won forgiveness and bravery forged through trial and error. Director Vo Thanh Hoa writes with sincere filmmaking as his brush — safeguarding the collective memories carried by the original novel, while using modern cinematic language to let this shared youthful sentiment cross cultural divides.