“Shortly before its premiere in Cannes, Viet and Nam was banned by the Vietnamese Film Department for portraying the country in an overly moody way. Although it is a story about a specific place and its history, the film’s ambiguity and poetry make it, first and foremost, an emotional, sensory experience. Viet and Nam is a film that rewards patience, like panning for gold – the true beauty and depth is revealed slowly, by sifting through layers of meaning. It is a cinematic gem hidden among the black coal, waiting to be discovered.” (Programme curator Karolis Žukas)