Johnny Nguyen's Banned CHO LON Is (Briefly) Leaked Online

Writer; Vietnam
Johnny Nguyen's Banned CHO LON Is (Briefly) Leaked Online
[As a further FYI on this story, ScreenAnarchy has learned that the version leaked was NOT the original, director's cut of the film but one of the subsequent re-edits with a great deal of violence removed in an attempt to pass censorship. So, if you're looking for the version that was originally intended, this isn't it. Also, the investigation under way to find the source is being conducted by police, so this is clearly being treated as quite serious and could have significant ramifications going forward.]

This morning, Vietnamese netizens went wild when a version of Johnny Nguyen's banned Cho Lon was leaked on YouTube. Only a few minutes later, that video was taken down. However, many people were able to download the 90-minute banned film and share it online. Soon after, Facebook was flooded with comments. One humorous Facebooker even said: "This will be the most-watched movie of 2013 in Vietnam."

Nobody knows for sure who leaked the film, but an investigation is underway. Charlie Nguyen published the following comment:

I am absolutely shocked and sad as if someone was killing my child. This is just a draft with incomplete content, sound, light, color, special effects and frame rhythm. I don't want anyone to see this version because it's like a raw meal! We've spent countless efforts and billions to make it perfect for the audience. And now I have to endure seeing people watching a bad draft version and evaluating the movie through it. People who leaked the film is a lack of knowledge and too cruel to Cho Lon and our brothers. Hopefully, he'd be arrested and sent to the court.

When Cho Lon was banned by Vietnamese censors last month, it officially spelled the end of the film's existence, as a domestic ban also prohibits the film from being sold or screened overseas. But now, a movie banned by the State was made public, albeit briefly, for anyone to see. If caught, those responsible for the leak could be charged with "spreading banned materials".

This is something that never happens in Vietnam. We'll keep you updated with the latest news as it develops.
Screen Anarchy logo
Do you feel this content is inappropriate or infringes upon your rights? Click here to report it, or see our DMCA policy.

More about Cho Lon

Around the Internet