Newly, the Cinema Department has sent a document to the Heritage Conservation Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) informing about the removal of a scene featuring actress Uyen An in a traditional Mau worship costume from the film 404 Run Away. This move aims to avoid any misunderstandings regarding the meaning and value of intangible cultural heritage.
Film Censorship Requires Removal of Uyen An's Mau Worship Costume Scene
According to the document, on January 1, the Cinema Department received an email from viewers expressing concerns over the use of traditional Mau worship attire in the film 404 Run Away. The department confirmed that the film does not violate any laws related to cinema but requested the distributor to remove the scene to prevent misinterpretation of the cultural heritage values. This was implemented from January 6, and the revised version has been used for commercial release ever since.
404 Run Away premiered in Vietnam on December 27, 2024, earning a box office revenue of 100 billion VND. This Thai film, categorized as a comedy and spiritual genre, revolves around the protagonist’s fraudulent plans and the appearance of a ghost who disrupts his schemes. The cast includes prominent Thai actors, with Uyen An—sister of Trấn Thành—playing a ghost woman with a Saintess costume inspired by the Mau faith.
Upon its introduction, Uyen An’s character design sparked significant controversy. Many opinions suggested that the portrayal was inaccurate and even disrespectful to the Vietnamese Mau worship tradition. In response to these mixed reactions, Uyen An shared that films are imaginative worlds created by directors and not reflective of real life. She emphasized that viewers would not misunderstand the culture due to the film, as it had passed official censorship.
With this decision to remove the controversial scene, the Cinema Department demonstrated respect and protection for traditional cultural values. This move garnered support from audiences and those concerned with national heritage preservation.
