On the morning of June 11 in Hanoi, Cinexia Productions Co., Ltd. officially held the launch ceremony for its film project titled Beyond the Broken Bridge. The film offers a profound perspective on the journey of rediscovering identity, family, and homeland for those who have grown up far from their motherland. The series of events depicted in the film promises to bring a wide range of emotions surrounding maternal love and the healing of past wounds. The project is expected to become a meaningful spiritual bridge connecting Vietnamese people at home with overseas Vietnamese communities across the five continents.
International project on the story of diasporic communities
On June 11 in Hanoi, the production team, consisting of filmmakers from Vietnam and Germany, officially introduced the film project titled Beyond the Broken Bridge. The work offers a realistic perspective on the lives, psychology, and unique experiences of overseas Vietnamese in their efforts to search for personal identity in the heart of Europe. The announcement event attracted attention from industry professionals, as the subject matter is highly relevant and reflects the genuine thoughts and emotions of young people of Vietnamese origin who were born and raised abroad.
The film is inspired by true stories from Vietnamese communities living in Germany and several neighboring countries. The story revolves around Dan, a young man who grows up between Eastern and Western cultures and constantly carries questions about his emotional connection to his homeland. His experiences of living in a modern Western society while continually confronting questions about his origins form a deeply personal and reflective narrative that runs throughout the film.
Untying the mental knot in family bonds
Deciding to return to Vietnam to better understand his personal past, Dan embarks on a journey filled with challenges. He faces generational differences in mindset within his family, strives to heal emotional wounds from the past, and searches for answers to the profound question of where he truly belongs. This journey unfolds through a series of events that help him untangle complicated relationships with his loved ones while gaining a deeper appreciation of traditional values that once felt unfamiliar to him.
Ms. Angie Do, representing the production team, stated that the cast will include domestic actors, Vietnamese-origin artists working abroad, as well as international performers. The production team is currently conducting casting activities to identify the most suitable talents for each role in order to ensure authenticity throughout the film. The combination of performers from different generations and artistic backgrounds is expected to bring diversity and depth to the acting and emotional expression within the project.
Collaboration between Vietnam and Germany
In this project, Aaron Le, a German actor of Vietnamese descent, takes on two roles: lead producer and the actor portraying the main character, Dan. Drawing from his own experience as someone who was born and raised abroad, Aaron Le brings a realistic and relatable perspective to the story, closely reflecting everyday life.
The production team aims to bring the film to audiences through a global distribution network and international film festivals. The project’s international team shared that the idea for the film originated from a desire to bring the image and voice of Vietnamese communities around the world to the big screen in a complete and authentic way.
Explaining further the motivation behind the project, the filmmakers stated: “Many immigrant communities around the world have cinematic works that vividly portray their journeys, cultures, and unique identities. In contrast, stories about the lives of overseas Vietnamese remain relatively unexplored and deserve stronger representation through an international cinematic perspective, commensurate with the scale and development of the community.” He added that the project is built on the spirit of connecting Vietnam with the world, strengthening the bond between the past and the present, linking families to their cultural roots, and fostering deep empathy between Vietnamese people at home and overseas communities across the globe.
Plans for production and launch
The film focuses on themes of family, memory, cultural identity, and the journey of rediscovering one’s roots among those who have grown up far from their homeland. According to the production team, it is also a story of emotional healing and self-discovery, following individuals who carry a deep longing for home throughout their years of living abroad.
The film’s settings span from Vietnam to Europe, creating a clear contrast between the two worlds. A significant portion of the filming will take place in Vietnam, with the aim of introducing the country’s natural landscapes, cultural beauty, and everyday life to international audiences.
The creative team behind the project brings together experienced professionals from both Vietnam and Germany, including Angie Do, Aaron Le, Kristina Schippling, and Zhong To.
According to the production schedule, Journey to the Roots will enter its initial stages of production in 2026. The team expects to complete all post-production work in 2027 before submitting the film to international film festivals and releasing it to wider audiences.
