Production Company: The Orange Blues Film & Creative Production - Vietnam
Logline: Before saying farewell to their beloved hometown due to an impending nuclear power plant, a group of five enthusiastic young students embarks on a mission to create a film that will forever capture the precious memories of their neighborhood.
Duration: 29 min | letterboxd.com/film/heading-west-2025 | @headingwestshortfilm
Date of Completion: 10/2025 | "Heading West" Official Trailer Link
Short Narrative Film
Logline: Before saying farewell to their beloved hometown due to an impending nuclear power plant, a group of five enthusiastic young students embarks on a mission to create a film that will forever capture the precious memories of their neighborhood.
Duration: 29 min
Date of Completion: 08/2024
"The film is set in Thai An village, Ninh Thuan province, in 2011. This location was initially chosen for a nuclear power project, which was halted after the Fukushima disaster. "Heading West" reflects on the fear and departures that followed.
"Heading West" captures high school students' creative journey with a vibrant tone, symbolizing the bittersweet experience of first-time filmmaking. The film draws parallels with "Journey to the West" (China, 1986) and "An Odyssey to the West" (Hongkong, 1994), exploring themes of hope, loss, and identity.
It serves as a tribute to childhood summers and the personal struggles of filmmakers, blending nostalgia with cinematic reflections."
"The film is set in Thai An village, Ninh Thuan province, in 2011. This location was initially chosen for a nuclear power project, which was halted after the Fukushima disaster. "Heading West" reflects on the fear and departures that followed.
"Heading West" captures high school students' creative journey with a vibrant tone, symbolizing the bittersweet experience of first-time filmmaking. The film draws parallels with "Journey to the West" (China, 1986) and "An Odyssey to the West" (Hongkong, 1994), exploring themes of hope, loss, and identity.
It serves as a tribute to childhood summers and the personal struggles of filmmakers, blending nostalgia with cinematic reflections."
"The film is set in Thai An village, Ninh Thuan province, in 2011. This location was initially chosen for a nuclear power project, which was halted after the Fukushima disaster. "Heading West" reflects on the fear and departures that followed.
"Heading West" captures high school students' creative journey with a vibrant tone, symbolizing the bittersweet experience of first-time filmmaking. The film draws parallels with "Journey to the West" (China, 1986) and "An Odyssey to the West" (Hongkong, 1994), exploring themes of hope, loss, and identity.
It serves as a tribute to childhood summers and the personal struggles of filmmakers, blending nostalgia with cinematic reflections."
Rumors have it that where they live will be evacuated for a nuclear power plant. Five friends, Tam, Nhan, Y, Son, and Ha, decide to make a film there before everyone leaves.
Tam, who got a zero in literature for daring to write about Sun Wukong fighting the Mountain God (known as ‘Sơn Tinh’ in Vietnam), is still bitter for that grade he received . So, they decide to actually make a film about that ridiculously made-up battle between Sun Wukong and Sơn Tinh. During an intense fight scene, the camera suddenly shakes and falls into the water.
Rumors have it that where they live will be evacuated for a nuclear power plant. Five friends, Tam, Nhan, Y, Son, and Ha, decide to make a film there before everyone leaves.
Tam, who got a zero in literature for daring to write about Sun Wukong fighting the Mountain God (known as ‘Sơn Tinh’ in Vietnam), is still bitter for that grade he received . So, they decide to actually make a film about that ridiculously made-up battle between Sun Wukong and Sơn Tinh. During an intense fight scene, the camera suddenly shakes and falls into the water.
Rumors have it that where they live will be evacuated for a nuclear power plant. Five friends, Tam, Nhan, Y, Son, and Ha, decide to make a film there before everyone leaves.
Tam, who got a zero in literature for daring to write about Sun Wukong fighting the Mountain God (known as ‘Sơn Tinh’ in Vietnam), is still bitter for that grade he received . So, they decide to actually make a film about that ridiculously made-up battle between Sun Wukong and Sơn Tinh. During an intense fight scene, the camera suddenly shakes and falls into the water.
Drenched in their wet clothes, they go to the temple to pray. They even compose a poem (in six-eight verse) to make it a special prayer.
They decide to sell their available DVDs to earn money to fix the camera. In a bizarre market, a peculiar old man helps them fix the camera, on the condition that they exchange their stack of DVDs with a stack of Hong Kong movies from the 90s, and they must remember this market when they leave.
Drenched in their wet clothes, they go to the temple to pray. They even compose a poem (in six-eight verse) to make it a special prayer.
They decide to sell their available DVDs to earn money to fix the camera. In a bizarre market, a peculiar old man helps them fix the camera, on the condition that they exchange their stack of DVDs with a stack of Hong Kong movies from the 90s, and they must remember this market when they leave.
Drenched in their wet clothes, they go to the temple to pray. They even compose a poem (in six-eight verse) to make it a special prayer.
They decide to sell their available DVDs to earn money to fix the camera. In a bizarre market, a peculiar old man helps them fix the camera, on the condition that they exchange their stack of DVDs with a stack of Hong Kong movies from the 90s, and they must remember this market when they leave.
Later, Y suddenly leaves the town. They continue filming, with Son replacing Y in the role of the Mountain God, but it doesn't work out. The shooting fails, but Tam and Nhan stay behind. They lie back in the old filming location. After a moment of silence, they talk about their perception about memories, lamenting how sad it is that even memories have an expiration date. Nhan hopes their memories' expiration date will be 10,000 years. The film fades to its ending as water sparkles beneath Tam’s footstep, in Sun Wukong costume.
Later, Y suddenly leaves the town. They continue filming, with Son replacing Y in the role of the Mountain God, but it doesn't work out. The shooting fails, but Tam and Nhan stay behind. They lie back in the old filming location. After a moment of silence, they talk about their perception about memories, lamenting how sad it is that even memories have an expiration date. Nhan hopes their memories' expiration date will be 10,000 years. The film fades to its ending as water sparkles beneath Tam’s footstep, in Sun Wukong costume.
Later, Y suddenly leaves the town. They continue filming, with Son replacing Y in the role of the Mountain God, but it doesn't work out. The shooting fails, but Tam and Nhan stay behind. They lie back in the old filming location. After a moment of silence, they talk about their perception about memories, lamenting how sad it is that even memories have an expiration date. Nhan hopes their memories' expiration date will be 10,000 years. The film fades to its ending as water sparkles beneath Tam’s footstep, in Sun Wukong costume.
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Sulla is an independent filmmaker based in Vietnam. With a background in journalism, she entered cinema as a self-taught outsider, gradually gaining experience through writing, directing, editing, and producing her own projects.
She is the founder of The Orange Blues Film & Creative Production, where she collaborates with brands such as Heineken, Google, and the United Nations, while developing her personal film projects and working with young Vietnamese filmmakers and independent art collectives.
In recent years, Sulla has expanded her creative practice through projects such as Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival, Kỳ Exhibition, and docu-style shows like Feel Du - where she connects, tells stories, and collaborates with indie artists across music, film, design, and visual arts.
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filmography
filmography
10.000 năm đi về phía Tây (Heading West) (2025) - 29 mins 30
Điểm Cúng Cuối Đền (Last Stop) (2024) - 18 mins (Role: Producer)
Quẻ Ngược (The Reading) (2019) - 5 mins
.báu. the treasure (2020) - 1 min
Drama is (Drama Thì Sao) (2018, 5 mins), First prize Let’s On Air 2018
Âm (Demon) (Film Project, 2020), Top 12 at Horror Director Quest by Lotte.
“Drama is” (Drama Thì Sao) (2018, 5 mins),
First prize Let’s On Air 2018.
“The Reading” (Quẻ Ngược) (2019, 5 mins),
Official Selection and Best Screenplay Nominated
at SIFF 2020.
“.báu. The Treasure” (2020, 1 min),
Finalist at 60SIFF 2020 (Category: Art & Culture).
“Âm” (Film Project, 2020),
Top 12 at Horror Director Quest by Lotte.
10.000 năm đi về phía Tây (Heading West) (2025) - 29 mins 30
Điểm Cúng Cuối Đền (Last Stop) (2024) - 18 mins (Role: Producer)
Quẻ Ngược (The Reading) (2019) - 5 mins
.báu. the treasure (2020) - 1 min
Drama is (Drama Thì Sao) (2018, 5 mins), First prize Let’s On Air 2018
Âm (Demon) (Film Project, 2020), Top 12 at Horror Director Quest by Lotte.
Sulla
Director/Producer/Writer/Editor
Nguyễn Lộc
D.O.P/Producer/Writer/Editor
Nguyễn Ngọc Duy
AD
Vũ Khôi Nguyên
Production Designer
Hoàn Bùi, Thương Magic
Line Producer
Sulla
Director/Producer/Writer/Editor
Nguyễn Lộc
D.O.P/Producer/Writer/Editor
Nguyễn Ngọc Duy
AD
Vũ Khôi Nguyên
Production Designer
Hoàn Bùi, Thương Magic
Line Producer
Anh Tú Wilson as Tâm (Tôn Ngộ Không) (Sun Wukong)
Ròm (2019)/ Director: Trần Thanh Huy
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Thạch Thảo (2018)/ Director: Mai Thế Hiệp
Đỉnh mù sương (2020)/ Director: Phan Anh
Lời kết bạn chết chóc (2019)/ Director: Roland Nguyễn Nhân
Khánh Ly as Nhân (Đường Tăng) (Tang Sanzang)
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Movie ‘Quan Ky Nam’ (2024)/ Director: Leon Le
(Link: https://mubi.com/en/vn/films/quan-k-nam)Short Film ‘Dư vị’ (After Taste) (2022)/ Director: Nguyễn Thị Xuân Trang
Anh Tú Wilson as Tâm (Tôn Ngộ Không) (Sun Wukong)
Ròm (2019)/ Director: Trần Thanh Huy
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Thạch Thảo (2018)/ Director: Mai Thế Hiệp
Đỉnh mù sương (2020)/ Director: Phan Anh
Lời kết bạn chết chóc (2019)/ Director: Roland Nguyễn Nhân
Khánh Ly as Nhân (Đường Tăng) (Tang Sanzang)
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Movie ‘Quan Ky Nam’ (2024)/ Director: Leon Le
(Link: https://mubi.com/en/vn/films/quan-k-nam)Short Film ‘Dư vị’ (After Taste) (2022)/ Director: Nguyễn Thị Xuân Trang
Anh Tú Wilson as Tâm (Tôn Ngộ Không) (Sun Wukong)
Ròm (2019)/ Director: Trần Thanh Huy
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Thạch Thảo (2018)/ Director: Mai Thế Hiệp
Đỉnh mù sương (2020)/ Director: Phan Anh
Lời kết bạn chết chóc (2019)/ Director: Roland Nguyễn Nhân
Khánh Ly as Nhân (Đường Tăng) (Tang Sanzang)
Movie ‘Địa Đạo’ (2025)/ Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Movie ‘Quan Ky Nam’ (2024)/ Director: Leon Le
(Link: https://mubi.com/en/vn/films/quan-k-nam)Short Film ‘Dư vị’ (After Taste) (2022)/ Director: Nguyễn Thị Xuân Trang
introducing
introducing
Đắc Thắng as Ý (Bạch Long Mã, Sơn Tinh) (Dragon Prince, Mountain God)
Minh Triều as Sơn (Sa Tăng, Sơn Tinh đóng thế) (Sha Wujing, Mountain God Stunt)
Phù Thanh Thanh as Hà (Trư Bát Giới) (Zhu Bajie)
Đắc Thắng as Ý (Bạch Long Mã, Sơn Tinh) (Dragon Prince, Mountain God)
Minh Triều as Sơn (Sa Tăng, Sơn Tinh đóng thế) (Sha Wujing, Mountain God Stunt)
Phù Thanh Thanh as Hà (Trư Bát Giới) (Zhu Bajie)
Đắc Thắng as Ý (Bạch Long Mã, Sơn Tinh) (Dragon Prince, Mountain God)
Minh Triều as Sơn (Sa Tăng, Sơn Tinh đóng thế) (Sha Wujing, Mountain God Stunt)
Phù Thanh Thanh as Hà (Trư Bát Giới) (Zhu Bajie)
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2025
Asian Perspectives Shorts – 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Bangkok International Film Festival 2025
KONIMA+ 2025 Screening (Vietnam)
Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival 2025 – Screening (Vietnam)
Official Selection, Audience Choice Award (Winner) – Xinê Xem Fest 2025
2024
Silver Light Prize – Seoul International Kids & Youth Film Festival
Asia-Pacific Culture Special Focus Award (Winner) – New Order Youth International Film Festival
2025
Asian Perspectives Shorts – 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Bangkok International Film Festival 2025
KONIMA+ 2025 Screening (Vietnam)
Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival 2025 – Screening (Vietnam)
Official Selection, Audience Choice Award (Winner) – Xinê Xem Fest 2025
2024
Silver Light Prize – Seoul International Kids & Youth Film Festival
Asia-Pacific Culture Special Focus Award (Winner) – New Order Youth International Film Festival
2025
Asian Perspectives Shorts – 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Bangkok International Film Festival 2025
KONIMA+ 2025 Screening (Vietnam)
Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival 2025 – Screening (Vietnam)
Official Selection, Audience Choice Award (Winner) – Xinê Xem Fest 2025
2024
Silver Light Prize – Seoul International Kids & Youth Film Festival
Asia-Pacific Culture Special Focus Award (Winner) – New Order Youth International Film Festival
Asian Perspectives Shorts – 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Bangkok International Film Festival 2025
KONIMA+ 2025 Screening (Vietnam)
Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival 2025 – Screening (Vietnam)
Official Selection, Audience Choice Award (Winner) – Xinê Xem Fest 2025
Silver Light Prize – Seoul International Kids & Youth Film Festival
Asia-Pacific Culture Special Focus Award (Winner)
New Order Youth International Film Festival
Asian Perspectives Shorts – 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Bangkok International Film Festival 2025
KONIMA+ 2025 Screening (Vietnam)
Ồ Ạt Oh Art Festival 2025 – Screening (Vietnam)
Official Selection, Audience Choice Award (Winner) – Xinê Xem Fest 2025
Silver Light Prize – Seoul International Kids & Youth Film Festival
Asia-Pacific Culture Special Focus Award (Winner)
New Order Youth International Film Festival
