* Note: This article reveals movie content
Cám is a Vietnamese film currently attracting attention in theaters. Within just three days of its release, the film quickly grossed over 48 billion VND, becoming the highest-grossing Vietnamese horror film opening this year, surpassing Ma da (40 billion VND).
The film’s script is inspired by the famous fairy tale Tấm Cám, retold through a horror lens. However, the content has sparked controversy due to several overly creative details that break from the original story. One notable scene features the character Tấm (Rima Thanh Vy) bathing in a pond, exposing part of her body in a manner that lacks subtlety.
Why Does Tấm Have to ‘Strip’?
As the title suggests, Cám does not focus on Tấm’s fate but rather delves deeper into Cám’s character, thereby intensifying the tragedy of the Tấm – Cám family.
The film revolves around Mr. Hai Hoàng (Quốc Cường) and his daughter Tấm (Rima Thanh Vy). After the death of his wife, Hai Hoàng remarries (Thúy Diễm) and has a daughter named Cám (Lâm Thanh Mỹ). Unfortunately, Cám is deformed, leading both parents to treat her poorly, while only Tấm loves her, despite them not sharing the same mother.
The script incorporates elements of the supernatural and sacrificial rituals to heighten the horror, while also piquing viewers’ curiosity. The Tấm – Cám tragedy is intertwined with a millennia-old pact between the family and a bizarre supernatural force named Bạch Lão (NSƯT Hạnh Thúy). In exchange for wealth, every ten years they must sacrifice a virgin for the demon to practice the art of immortality.
Despite numerous changes to the plot, Tấm remains a crucial character in the film. Initially, she appears as a gentle sister who loves her deformed younger sister.
Essentially, Tấm’s personality and psychology are not significantly different from the original tale. She is still the kind-hearted and innocent girl, unaware of any ill thoughts towards others. She prioritizes family, obeys her parents, and is always there to comfort and protect her sister.
The 18+ scene featuring Tấm occurs as the film reaches its climax, at which point Bạch Lão appears, causing a series of horrifying deaths in the village and leading Tấm to become “darkened.”
In this scene, Tấm bathes in a lotus pond, stands up, and reveals her blood-stained body. Though not excessively long, the segment is shocking as the actress “displays” her bare chest.
According to the crew’s intent, at this moment, Tấm has been possessed by Bạch Lão and finds pleasure in cleansing her body under the water. The character submerges in the lotus pond filled with hatred and a thousand-year curse, only to rise from the water as if she has been “reborn,” beginning her journey of spreading terror.
Unnecessary Scene
In reality, the 18+ scene featuring Tấm is unnecessary. Previously, the character had already been possessed and engaged in many cruel and barbaric actions, such as plotting to kill her sister, murdering a palace maid, and feeding her stepmother Cám’s flesh…
For a long time, Tấm has ceased to be a gentle girl and has transformed into an evil, bloodthirsty spirit. Therefore, the director’s staging carries a heavy interpretative burden. The filmmakers are merely explaining a content that the audience already understands.
The nearly nude scene of Tấm no longer serves as a pivotal moment marking the character’s emotional and psychological transformation. This segment could entirely be cut without significantly affecting the film’s content.
Since its theatrical release, Cám has quickly become a hot topic of discussion across various forums. Tấm’s 18+ scene has left many viewers pondering, with the majority believing that the crew is merely trying to attract an audience, thereby increasing the film’s appeal.
Historically, Tấm has always been associated with an innocent image, enduring many hardships while maintaining her pure heart. Only the ending has sparked controversy across generations, as Tấm engages in excessively cruel actions against Cám and her mother.
Cám has been introduced by the producers as a horror variant of the fairy tale familiar to many generations of viewers. Thus, it is understandable that the script has many additions and changes compared to the original.
However, the limitation of the screenwriters is that they have not mastered their craft, becoming too caught up in creativity and adding new plot points that make the overall story feel lengthy yet loose.
Not only has Tấm changed, but the horror film Cám also features many alterations that make viewers “forget” the original tale. For instance, Cám is now gentle and has a dreamy romance with a boy named Bờm (Trần Doãn), while Tấm’s father has a secret pact with the evil spirit…
Even if the sensitive scene of Tấm is cut, the film will still be labeled T18 due to many other graphic, horror scenes unsuitable for younger audiences.
If the 18+ scene is a promotional tactic, then the crew has been quite successful. Since its debut, Cám has consistently topped the box office charts.
As of now, the film has grossed over 60 billion VND according to Box Office Vietnam statistics. It is highly likely that the project will surpass 100 billion VND this week, joining the ranks of the most successful Vietnamese films of the year.
