Vietnam Comedy ‘Zero Meets Hero’ Gets Global Push From Mockingbird Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)

Vietnamese distributor Mockingbird Pictures has boarded “Zero Meets Hero,” the latest film from director Huynh Lap, and will present the title to international buyers at the Beijing International Film Festival as the company steps up its push to place Vietnamese commercial cinema in overseas markets.

Produced by Hong Tu and 17 Production, the film follows two men with little in common beyond blood: Mr. Thoi, a war veteran whose sense of self was forged by military service, and his Gen Z grandson Tri Binh, adrift in the pressures of modern life. Mr. Thoi’s fixation on tracking down old comrades from the front sets the pair on a shared journey, with Vietnamese spiritual beliefs woven through the narrative as the comedy gradually gives way to something more emotionally substantial.

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Meritorious Artist Cao Minh and Cody Nam Vo head the cast, with Huynh Lap himself appearing alongside a supporting ensemble that includes Hong Anh, Hua Vy Van, Tin Nguyen, Quang Trung, Puka, and Xuan Phuc.

Phong Duong, business director of Mockingbird Pictures, said: “We believe that high-quality, culturally authentic stories like ‘Zero Meets Hero’ can transcend borders and connect with audiences worldwide when positioned strategically.”

The pick-up marks another step in Mockingbird’s expansion across Asia and into North American markets, where the company has been building on a portfolio of Vietnamese box office performers. Huynh Lap’s previous feature, “The Ancestral Home” (“Nha Gia Tien”), grossed more than VND242 billion ($9 million) locally, placing it among the highest-earning local titles in Vietnamese box office history.

“With ‘Zero Meets Hero,’ we set out to tell a story that feels deeply personal to Vietnamese audiences – one that reflects a sense of patriotism and the younger generation’s gratitude toward those who came before them,” producer Hong Tu said. “These are universal values that we believe can resonate with audiences everywhere.”

“Zero Meets Hero” is currently in production and is slated for a Vietnam National Day (Sept. 2) theatrical release.