Vietnamese feature film, "Catch Me If You Can" ("Muu Ke Thuong Luu"), has returned to local screens as an original TV series, titled "Tra Xanh Dau Sieu Lua", leveraging a domestic theatrical tale into the streaming space, raising quality stakes with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and boosting domestic platform Galaxy Play’s position as premium drama producer.

Galaxy Play is the first OTT/streaming platform in Vietnam to adopt Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos experience. Dolby Audio experience is also widely available on Galaxy Play VOD catalogue ranges from its original series and licensed content. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are newly added experiences and we expect to see more Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos content available in the Galaxy Play OTT service. 

At least three more Galaxy Original series will be made available for consumers to stream in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos this year across TV sets, mobile phones and other devices as Galaxy continues to court Vietnam’s connected consumers.

The seven-episode half-hour TV series, "Tra Xanh Dau Sieu Lua" ("Catch Me If You Can") “shows all the hidden corners” of the original story about Diana, a poor girl played by Thiên An, stepping into the world of rich kids and finding a whole lot that money can’t buy, Galaxy Play says.

As part of its expanded plot, the TV show incorporates previously unseen footage originally shot for the 101-minute feature, which premiered in theatres across Vietnam during this year’s Lunar New Year holidays. 

The TV version, also directed by Tran Buu Loc ("The Tailor"), expands the plot by “at least 20%” and answers all the questions raised – but not necessarily answered, by the film, Galaxy Play says.

Stars of the feature film version, including Le Thanh Bao Anh as Peter, Tam Trieu Dang ("100 Days of Sunshine") as Tam, Quynh Luong ("Soobin Hoàng Son: Neu ngày ay") as Lien Pham and Bui Anh Tu as Charlie, return for the TV series. 

"Tra Xanh Dau Sieu Lua" joins a platform of about 10,000 hours offered by Galaxy Play, which was established in 2015 by Vietnamese cinema chain Galaxy Cinema. 

Today, Galaxy Play is the number one subscription video on demand (SVOD) service in Vietnam by far with over seven million users. 

“With the latest technology, the 4K film catalogue combined with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio experiences on our smart TV app, consumers can have a movie theater experience in their own homes,” Galaxy Play says. 

Subscriptions to the streaming platform range from VND70,000/US$3 a month to VND600,000/US$26.50 for 12 months. The mobile-only plan is US$4.35 for six months and US$8 for 12 months. TVOD rentals range from US$0.80 a title for a single device to US$2.20 a title (multiple devices) for 48 hours. 4K movies cost US$3 a title.

While the Dolby audio experience is relatively well known in Vietnam on platforms such as VTC and VTV, the decision to upgrade to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is part of Galaxy Play’s drive to keep ahead of streaming competition, including regional and international platforms. 

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos significantly enhances the entertainment experience for consumers, says Pankaj Kedia, Dolby Laboratories’ managing director for emerging markets. 

“Colours are more vivid and lifelike, images blaze more brightly and highlights dazzle,” he says, adding: “Entertainment really comes alive.”


Sponsored content brought to you by Dolby Laboratories. Published in ContentAsia 18 April - 3 May 2022 eNewsletter