Famous writer‘s best-selling novel to be adapted to film

Young actors in a scene from Co Gai Den Tu Hom Qua (The Girl From Yesterday), a movie about teen love adapted from the novel by famous author Nguyen Nhat Anh. Courtesy Photo of the producer

The production Ngoi Khoc Tren Cay (Crying on the Tree) is about the romantic relationship between Dong, a second-year university student, and the 14-year-old Rua who suffers from a serious disease.   

It is based on the book of the same name written by Anh, who has released more than 100 books of different types.

Published in 2013 by Tre Publishing House, the book Ngoi Khoc Tren Cay has sold more than 100,000 copies. 

Film producer Chung Minh and Velo Entertainment, a private film company in HCM City, signed a copyright agreement with the publisher and writer Anh. 

“I’m very interested in reading Anh’s books because his works feature life and love through the eyes of young characters,” said film producer Minh in an interview with local media before filming.

“Our film will use 3D effects to entertain young audiences. After watching, audiences will gain lessons on finding ways to discover the world, love, and people,” he said.  

The casting will begin in June, and the film’s first scenes will be shot in September.  

Ngoi Khoc Tren Cay will be in cinemas next summer. 

Veteran writer Anh began writing in 1984 and is known for his simple style and accurate depiction of children’s minds.

In 2007, Anh’s Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho (Give Me a Ticket Back to Childhood) made a record by selling more than 20,000 copies in the first weeks of its release.

The book won the Southeast Asian Writers Award presented by the Thai royal family in 2010. 

The book has been translated into Thai and published by Thailand-based publisher, Nanmee Books.

Anh has presented four of his best-selling kid books to students of Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind.

These books, Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho, Mat Biec (Blue Eyes), Bay Buoc Toi Mua He (Seven Steps to Summer) and Ngay Xua Co Mot Chuyen Tinh (The Past Love Story), will be produced in Braille by the school’s teachers.

Anh’s two novels, Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (I Saw Yellow Flowers on Green Glass) and Co Gai Den Tu Hom Qua (The Girl From Yesterday), were adapted for film by HCM City film producers in 2014 and 2016.