Name: Sister Sister
Director: Kathy Uyên

3388 Films has spent more than two decades putting Asian films in front of theatrical audiences, and its strongest Vietnamese credential is Trấn Thành’s Mai, the first Vietnamese film to gross more than $2 million at the combined North American and European box office. By adding Sister Sister 3 (Chị Chị Em Em 3) to that slate, the U.S. specialty distributor is backing a female-led Vietnamese franchise to travel the same theatrical route instead of remaining a domestic event.

As Variety first reported, the deal covers the Americas, Europe, Australia, Taiwan and Japan, and it was closed at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan. The venue suits the franchise: the first Sister Sister, Kathy Uyên’s drama starring Chi Pu and Thanh Hằng, screened at the Busan International Film Festival after its run in Vietnamese cinemas. Nguyễn Hữu Hoàng directs the third entry, which Will Vũ produces for Muse Films.

Each installment has moved to a different era. The second film, directed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng with Minh Hằng and Ngọc Trinh, dramatized the legend of Ba Trà and Tư Nhị, two celebrated beauties of early-20th-century Saigon, and passed 100 billion dong at the domestic box office. The new film goes further back, to a traditional northern Vietnam governed by rigid social codes, and reworks Thị Mầu, the free-spirited, flirtatious heroine of the classic Chèo play Quan Âm Thị Kính, who defies Confucian norms. The story follows her through romance, jealousy and forbidden relationships.

Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc, Chi Pu and Kỳ Duyên lead the cast, with Steven Nguyễn and Quốc Anh also starring. Chi Pu’s presence ties the new chapter back to the original film, while Kỳ Duyên, a former Miss Vietnam, takes on Thị Mầu.

“We’re constantly seeking daring, character-driven stories that resonate with the global audience,” said Thien A. Pham, founder of 3388 Films, who added that the company was ecstatic to acquire “such a bold and brazen female-led film.” For Will Vũ, the deal is about visibility: “I’m very excited ‘Sister Sister 3’ will soon be seen by international audiences,” he said, adding that he is proud to share a film that showcases traditional Vietnamese culture. Alongside Mai, the distributor’s recent slate includes the independent thriller-horror Actress Wanted.

Sister Sister 3 opens in Vietnamese cinemas this month, and 3388 Films plans its theatrical rollout across the licensed territories later in the year.

For generations, Thị Mầu has been the scandal of village Chèo stages. Her next stage is a theatrical release that runs from the Americas to Japan.