Exploring Queer Love in 'Viet and Nam': A Cinematic Journey Through Tradition

In 'Viet and Nam', director Truong Minh Quy presents a poignant exploration of queer love set against the backdrop of Vietnam's traditional values. The film features striking visuals and intimate moments that challenge societal norms. As the protagonists navigate their relationship amidst the bleakness of a coal mine and the search for a missing father, the narrative intertwines themes of love and tradition. This evocative drama highlights the struggles of same-sex love in a society still grappling with liberalism, leaving viewers to ponder the complexities of love and acceptance.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 16, 2025, 02:33 IST

A Unique Perspective on Queer Love

The film 'Viet and Nam', directed by Truong Minh Quy, presents striking visuals of queer love that are rarely depicted in cinema, particularly in our country, where such narratives often suffer from awkward portrayals of intimacy.

The intimate scenes are crafted with a painterly quality reminiscent of a time before censorship, showcasing a raw explicitness. The texture and tone of these moments, captured in the dim light of a coal mine, evoke a timeless beauty that contrasts sharply with the film's overall bleak atmosphere.

Characters and Their Struggles

The protagonists, Viet and Nam, portrayed by Duy Bao Dinh Dao and Pham Thanh Hai, navigate their relationship against a backdrop of perpetual despair. Their love-making in the depths of a coal mine lacks joy, reflecting the grim reality above ground, where hope is embodied by Nam’s mother, Hoa (Nguyen Thi Nga).

Hoa encourages her son to bring Viet home, leading to a somber dinner involving Nam, Viet, Hoa, and a male guest, who is a colleague of Nam’s missing father, as they share a meal of frogs.

A Complex Narrative

The film presents challenging themes that may be difficult for some viewers to digest. A significant portion of the story revolves around Nam and his mother’s quest to find the grave of their missing father. This subplot disrupts the central love story, intertwining a timeless romance with the burdens of tradition, illustrating a nation in a slow transition.

Ironically, the narrative struggles to balance the radical love story with the ritualistic search for a grave, mirroring the protagonists' own conflicts. Their passionate relationship is hindered by a quest for spiritual fulfillment, which complicates the plot beyond the love affair that defies tradition.

Themes of Tradition and Liberalism

What resonates from this emotionally charged gay love story is the deep connection between two individuals whose feelings are overshadowed by the oppressive weight of tradition in a society grappling with liberalism. Until societal acceptance evolves, expressions of same-sex love may remain confined to the depths of the earth.