In a cinematic landscape often dominated by escapist fantasies, "The Girl From Dak Lak" emerges as a breath of fresh, albeit harsh, air. This indie gem, directed by the adept hands of Pedro Román and Chi Mai, takes us on a somber yet enlightening journey through the eyes of Suong, a young girl from rural Vietnam.

The gritty realism is unyielding and at times, almost tangible. Each frame tells a story, a stark contrast between the pastoral serenity Suong left behind, and the bustling, unforgiving life of Saigon. The directors do not shy away from showcasing the mundane and at times, oppressive routine of the protagonists, which is a bold narrative choice that pays off. The film confronts us with the harsh truths of seeking better prospects in a world not ready to provide them.

The cinematography is nothing short of stunning, acting as a silent narrator. The careful composition of each shot, the play with natural light, and the close-ups that almost allow you to delve into the psyche of the characters, all contribute to an immersive experience. The city's chaos is captured with a raw authenticity that's seldom seen, making the urban landscape a character in its own right.

Moreover, the color grading sets a melancholic yet hopeful tone, adding layers to the storytelling. The camera moves through the narrow, suffocating spaces of the eatery with a claustrophobic intimacy, contrasting with the wide, liberating shots of the countryside, reminding us of the stark differences between rural and urban lives.

"The Girl From Dak Lak" is more than just a film; it's a contemplative experience. The authenticity of the narrative coupled with the remarkable cinematography not only tells a compelling story but evokes a gamut of emotions, making it a memorable cinematic journey. Through its lens, we're compelled to reflect on the broader socio-economic discourse of rural to urban migration, making it a timely and important watch.

I REALLY enjoyed this movie, a wonderful character study. If you want action, or dramatic emotional swings...there are plenty of movies for those. This is different. It portrays a slice of real life, that only those who live it can really understand...but this film brings it close to understanding.

An ordinary, poor girl seeking a slightly better existence for the sole purpose of helping her family. It depicts the norm: nothing extraordinarily bad happens, but neither does anything that could be called good. The girl's misfortunes outweigh the positives though, and she is taken advantage of whenever someone can...which is normal, sad to say.

The lead actress herself is very enjoyable to watch, she is so subtle and calm in her portrayal, and with a very interesting face. Notably, the one time she smiled in the film, she was told to stop. Again, realistic, because her circumstances lend nothing to smile about.

The direction and cameras really captured the sense of both rural and poor urban life in Vietnam, with such detail you can feel that you "get it." Having lived in parts of Asia very similar to this, I can attest to the authenticism.

Having just finished watching this film, it ranks high on my list of favorites. If you're looking for flashiness or an emotional roller-coaster, this isn't it. But if you're wanting to really experience a segment of society that actually exists every day for many, many people...with a great performance by a new actress...then give this one a try.

As I had never heard about the 2022 Vietnamese drama titled "Co Gai Den Tu Dak Lak" (aka "The Girl From Dak Lak") prior to sitting down here in 2023 to watch it, I literally did not know what I was in for here. But my fascination and love of the Asian cinema made me want to give writers and directors Chi Mai and Pedro Roman's movie a fair chance.

I managed to endure 52 minutes of the 85 minutes that the movie ran for. And by that time I just tossed the towel in the ring out of sheer and utter boredom. Nothing, and I mean that literally, had happened in those 52 minutes aside from watching a Suong drive around delivering food and sitting around in a rundown eatery.

The narrative in "Co Gai Den Tu Dak Lak" was just insanely slow paced and pointless. I mean, what was the purpose here from writers Chi Mai and Pedro Roman? To show a realistic routine of a young girl working in Saigon? If so, I guess they accomplished that task, but it didn't make for any type of enjoyable or entertaining movie.

The acting in the movie was okay, especially so since it felt like the actresses were just being natural and being themselves, perhaps even not acting at all, but just being themselves. It worked well enough, I will say.

As much as I love Asian cinema, then of course not every single movie that makes it out of the Asian cinema is going to be gold and entertaining, and "Co Gai Den Tu Dak Lak" was one such movie. And believe you me when I say that I am never returning to watch the rest of the movie; I just simply doesn't care one ounce about the storyline.

My rating of "Co Gai Den Tu Dak Lak" lands on a two out of ten stars.