TED PEDAS AWARD

Ky Nam Inn

Quán Kỳ Nam

LEON LE
Vietnam, 2025
140 minutes, Color and Black & White

The deep ache of desire is at the core of this gorgeously shot romantic drama set in 1980s' post-war Saigon. In the same vein as Wong Kar Wai's classic In the Mood for Love, this rich and dreamy film revolves around translator Khang (Liên Bỉnh Phát), who's moved to the city to work for the new regime, and the intense relationship he slowly develops with his neighbor, Ky Nam (Đỗ Thị Hải Yến), a grieving widow and gifted home cook who operates a small food-delivery service out of her apartment. When an injury hampers Ky Nam's ability to prepare meals, Khang volunteers to help and, as the pair gets to know each other over time, their mutual attraction begins to grow. From its lush visuals to the undeniable chemistry between the leads, this engrossing and timeless love story that will take hold of your heart.—Various sources

In Vietnamese with English subtitles