Vietnamese actress takes top prize in Spain

Vietnamese actress Nguyễn Minh Châu has won the best performance at the 23rd Las Palmas de Grand Canaria International Film Festival.

Châu's leading role in Cu Li Không Bao Giờ Khóc (Cu Li Never Cries) directed by Phạm Ngọc Lân won on Saturday in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

The film won the GWFF Best First Feature Award at the Berlinale. It tells the story of a woman and her pregnant niece, who hastily enters into marriage. The characters lives and the complex relationship intertwines in a contemplative and poetic way.

Châu, has a career spreading over 40 years. She is among few actresses to win the best actress award twice at the Việt Nam National Film Festival in 1987 and 1989 for her roles in Người Đàn Bà Nghịch Cát and Cô Gái Trên Sông.

Her role in television series Bí Thư Tỉnh Ủy also earned her the best female actress at Cánh Diều Award by Việt Nam Cinematography Association in 2010. She received titled People's Artist in 2015. 

She is currently working with independent director Lân in his film projects. 

In 2022, Vietnamese movie Memory Land by Bùi Kim Quy Lady won Golden Lady Harimaguada and documentary Children of the Mist by Hà Lệ Diễm received Mención Especial del Jurado at the festival. VNS