International drama “Chrysalis” has wrapped principal photography in Vietnam and released first-look images from the production.
The film, produced by Sir Daniel K. Winn’s WS Productions in collaboration with Vietnamese producer Trương Ngọc Ánh, recently completed its extensive shoot across multiple locations in Vietnam, including the construction of a large-scale village set built specifically to authentically recreate the story’s 1970s setting.
Set against the backdrop of war-torn Vietnam in the 1970s, “Chrysalis” follows a resourceful young boy navigating his place in a chaotic world, guided by his grandmother’s wisdom while haunted by memories of his fractured family. The story draws from Winn’s own childhood experiences between ages six and nine, adapted from his forthcoming memoir.
Award-winning actor Kieu Chinh, 88, returned to Vietnam after more than a decade to star in the project alongside Nguyen Vu Uy Nhan and Winn himself. Chinh, known for her role in “The Joy Luck Club” and Emmy-winning documentary work, plays the pivotal role of the grandmother.
The production is directed by Jordan Schulz and features an international producing team including David Hopwood and Tiến Phạm, alongside Winn and executive producer Randall J. Slavin.
Trương Ngọc Ánh, the Vietnamese actor-producer behind films including “The White Silk Dress,” “Hương Ga,” and “Abduction,” led the Vietnam production efforts.
Trương Ngọc Ánh said: “This is an interesting and challenging project, but I believe that with the effort, passion, and talent of the entire team, we will bring this vision to the screen in a powerful way. We eagerly look forward to the film’s release in the U.S., Vietnam, and other countries around the world.”
For Winn and Slavin, partners at Beverly Hills-based Winn Slavin Fine Art, “Chrysalis” represents their continued expansion into cinema following their award-winning shorts “Creation” and “Ectropy,” both part of a trilogy exploring themes of chaos, order, and the human condition based on Winn’s artistic philosophy of existential surrealism.
“Vietnam is a country of immense cultural richness and beauty,” Winn said. “It is an honor to partner with Trương Ngọc Ánh and her team to bring ‘Chrysalis’ to life. This film represents not only a creative endeavor but also a bridge connecting Vietnam’s vibrant artistic culture with global audiences.”
“Chrysalis” behind the scenes
WS Productions
