During a screening of the Vietnamese film “Mai” in Ho Chi Minh City, police officers interrupted the movie and turned on the theater lights to verify the ages of the audience members. The film is rated “18+” due to its inclusion of several sex scenes.
Although no underage viewers were found, the incident on February 26 sparked a debate on social media and highlighted potential enforcement challenges of Vietnam’s new Cinema Law, which imposes fines for underage viewers as the country’s film industry expands.
The law provides guidelines on film ratings, categorization, and warnings about explicit content, but the regulations regarding monitoring and penalizing viewers of inappropriate age at cinemas are still unclear, according to a lawyer from Hanoi.
‘Vibrant market’
Vietnam boasts numerous theaters showing international and local films, including state-funded productions focused on historical themes. The country’s film industry has experienced a resurgence post-pandemic, with a diverse range of genres and offerings.
Released during the Tet holiday, “Mai” quickly became a box office hit, revolving around the life of a massage therapist and a younger man. The film’s “18+” rating restricted ticket sales to viewers aged 18 and above.
Mistaken protocol?
Authorities conducted an inspection at Cinestar Quoc Thanh Cinema in response to reports of theaters not enforcing age restrictions for the film. While no underage viewers were found, the method of checking IDs during the screening raised questions about the law’s implementation.
The Cinema Law requires cinemas to ensure viewers meet age requirements based on film ratings, with provincial authorities responsible for monitoring and addressing violations in cinematographic activities.
Decree 38 outlines penalties, including fines and confiscation of profits, for permitting underage viewers to watch age-inappropriate films.
‘An uncultured act’
Critics, including legal experts and residents, condemned the police’s abrupt inspection as uncivilized and disrespectful. They argued that cinemas should be responsible for enforcing age restrictions in a more dignified manner.
While some defended the inspection as necessary to uphold regulations on age-appropriate viewing, others viewed it as an intrusion on cultural and entertainment activities.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Cinema Department regarding the incident at Cinestar Quoc Thanh cinema were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
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