Love. Matrimony. Kinship. Brother. Sister. Mother. Bedroom. Grown-up. Goodbye.
Choice of words, interweaving of meanings, arrangement of events assembled, dismantled, then reassembled, creating a dynamic that encapsulates the essence of nine words that might project the shared life of those living under one roof. At times, these words are spoken without ever truly being said. In fact, perhaps they might have never been said at all. The reasons for this remain without clear signs.
The House That Stays (Lê Ngọc Duy, 2024) serves as a reiteration of words often associated with care, affection, and familial love. The film offers a sensory experience through a series of imaginative scenes and intimate conversations, drawn from the protagonist’s interactions with his mother and sibling. The protagonist, who is also the director of this film, reinterprets the moments of detachment from the home that once nurtured him.
Starting from conversations about the favourite dishes their mother always cooks at home, to questions of who accompanies the younger sibling, moments surrounding marriage, and even the mother’s advice—the film weaves both lived experience and the emotions that arise from it. Like a riddle, these feelings are wrapped in a shared mystery emanating from every corner of the house. The conversations that are worn by time but still obscure, resurface through memory. A memory that may not be entirely reliable. (Gantar Sinaga) (Ed. Vanis/Trans. Timmie)
Film Details
The House That Stays (Cuối giường dậy lên một tiếng gọi)
Lê Ngọc Duy | 15 min | 2024 | Vietnam
Official Selection for Docs Docs: Short!
Festival Film Dokumenter 2025
