Cover The cast and crew of award-winning movie ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’, with actress Le Tu Oanh, director Duong Dieu Linh and producer Tan Si En (Photo: Momo Film Co)
The cast and crew of award-winning movie ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’, with actress Le Tu Oanh, director Duong Dieu Linh and producer Tan Si En (Photo: Momo Film Co)
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The award-winning movie by first-time director Dương Diệu Linh bagged two awards at the 39th International Film Critics’ Week
Singapore production house Momo Film Co has made history when its Vietnamese film, Don’t Cry, Butterfly, bagged two awards at the 39th Settimana Internazionale della Critica (International Film Critics’ Week), a ceremony that happens alongside the Venice Film Festival. As the only Asian film nominated, Don’t Cry, Butterfly snagged the Best Film award and the Verona Film Club Award for Most Innovative Film, a remarkable feat for first-time director Dương Diệu Linh.
Momo Film Co, co-founded by film producer Tan Si En and writer-director Kris Ong, played a crucial role in bringing this award-winning Vietnamese story to the screen.
The horror-comedy, starring Le Tu Oanh, Nguyen Nam Linh, Le Vu Long and Bui Thac Phong, taps into a universal fear: a woman discovers her husband’s infidelity on live television.
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Tan, a 2023 Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, began their journey as an assistant producer on Singaporean filmmaker Kirsten Tan’s Pop Aye, a decision that almost didn’t happen. Initially planning to work in New York, they were so captivated by the Pop Aye script that they postponed their trip, a fateful choice that paved the way for Momo Film Co.
Dedicated to supporting Southeast Asian stories, Momo was acquired by Beach House Pictures and Fremantle in 2023.
In their own words, Tan shares five insights on producing an award-winning film.
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Above Producer Tan Si En (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow/Tatler Gen.T)
Producer Tan Si En (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow/Tatler Gen.T)
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Value our own stories
“Don’t Cry, Butterfly follows homemaker and breadwinner Tam who learns through live TV that her husband is having an affair. She’s determined to turn her situation around, but instead of confronting him, she turns to mystical means as the answer. Don’t Cry, Butterfly is director Dương Diệu Linh’s debut feature and produced by me. A commentary on the role of gender and cultural traditions in Vietnam—peppered with voodoo, fengshui and things you definitely are not expecting.
“While we were pitching this story and getting it made, there were a lot of attempts for the film to fit into genre traditions and story arcs. But I knew Linh’s story, one from the female point of view and her own perspective is special. This film is personal of her experience of growing up in Hanoi, leading her to explore deeper themes of self-inflicted entrapment and internalised misogyny.
“Through the character of Tam, Linh poses critical questions about where women place their expectations for happiness and whether they are truly addressing the root causes of their misery. We held onto her vision and trusted that it has more to offer than many expect it to.”
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People first
“I’m lucky and intentional in working with directors like Linh, who are generous in their directing and leadership. It is important to celebrate the culture of sharing and growing together.
“Instead of [just] valuing the film (aka money, job, career, self too), above all things we value people, potential, relationships, sharing and well-being. The belief that when you care about people, they will naturally care about you and your film is true.”
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Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate
“Beautiful things come together when people contribute their ideas. Filmmaking is a team sport and it takes a village to get all the details and magic come alive.
“Finding the right collaborators, valuing their craft and art and harmonising everything together is key. This approach can truly expand your original vision.”
Take risks
“Risk-taking in filmmaking is essential to the art form and empowering directors to embrace it through being bold creates something unexpected. Don’t Cry, Butterfly stays true to Linh’s vision and is a film that bends genre convention. We took a risk to break free from the conventions and celebrated its surreal approach. You just have to take the plunge!”
Persevere and keep growing
“Making films is tough; it takes a lot to fall into place to produce a cohesive piece of work. At times, it feels impossible. Perseverance and a strong work ethic are key ingredients for long-term growth in a highly competitive sector.
“As producers, we have to keep going despite rejections, setbacks and challenges.”
