The movie, directed by Luong Dinh Dung, was among 15 entries from 13 countries shortlisted for the festival’s Eastern Vista Awards, which recognizes films from Asian and Islamic countries.

The five-member board of judges, headed by three-time Oscar-winning American director Oliver Stone, praised the Vietnamese movie for the simplicity and homeliness in its narrative that stood out from the remaining award contenders.

Father and Son tells the story of a father and his ill son who live in rural Vietnam and their journey to the city seeking treatment.

Dung, however, lost the Best Asian Director award to Iran’s Maryam Bahrololumi, who was honored for his direction in the movie Patio, a feminine story set in an urban space.

The movie by Luong Dinh Dung last year won the second prize at the 20th Vietnam Film Festival in the central city of Da Nang, losing to multimillion-dollar grossing flick Em Chua 18 (Jailbait) in the Best Film category.

Vietnamese director Luong Dinh Dung (second left) delivers his acceptance speech after receiving the Best Asian Film award for his movie ‘Cha Cong Con’ (Father and Son) at the 36th Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2018.

Established in 1982, the Fajr International Film Festival (FIff) is sponsored by Iran’s Ministry of Culture to celebrate creative achievements in local and international cinema.

In its 36th edition, the 2018 FIff was held April 19-27 in the Iranian capital city of Tehran.

The festival’s top award for Best Film in international competition went to Ága by director Milko Lazarov, co-produced by Bulgaria, Germany and France.

Vietnamese director Luong Dinh Dung (C) is interviewed after receiving the Best Asian Film award for his movie ‘Cha Cong Con’ (Father and Son) at the 36th Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2018.

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