Many theaters were fined for letting students watch the 18+ movie 'Mai'

Ho Chi Minh City: Four theaters that let young audiences watch "Mai" - an 18+ film by Tran Thanh - were fined 60-80 million VND.

On the morning of March 1, Mr. Pham Van Dung - Chief Inspector of the Department of Culture and Sports - said that after checking seven theaters in the city, the authorities discovered four establishments "not ensuring that moviegoers are of the correct age for the movie classification".

The Department representative said that they are consulting on the decision to impose administrative penalties to submit to the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee before issuing according to regulations, the penalty for each theater owner is from 60 to 80 million VND. The names of the violating theaters have not yet been announced by the authorities.

According to the Department's representative, the city has recently strengthened inspections in the cultural sector, especially in cinema. Through the inspection process, the authorities have requested that theaters more strictly manage the age of audiences in both online and direct ticket purchases. "In the near future, the Department will issue a document requesting theaters to strictly comply with the Cinema Law, in order to protect children from the images and content of films," said Mr. Dung.

The film contains many hot scenes of the main character and some lines of dialogue that are not suitable for audiences under 18 years old. Photo: CJ — The film contains many "hot" scenes of the main character and some lines of dialogue that are not suitable for audiences under 18 years old. Photo: CJ

On February 22, the authorities inspected after receiving complaints that some theaters allowed young audiences to watch the movie Mai . Mr. Le Thanh Liem, Inspector of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the inspection team directly inspected ticket sales, guided customers to buy tickets, controlled the age of audiences at the ticket counter, cinema rooms, and put warning labels on movie tickets and on the notice boards of screenings.

According to current law, movies released in theaters are divided into five categories: P: Movies allowed to be widely distributed to all audiences; K: Movies are distributed to viewers under 13 years old with the condition of watching with a parent or guardian; T13 (13+): Movies are distributed to viewers 13 years old and above; T16 (16+): Movies are distributed to viewers 16 years old and above; T18 (18+): Movies are distributed to viewers 18 years old and above.

Young audiences buy movie tickets at a theater on Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City in late February. Photo: Thanh Tung — Young audiences buy movie tickets at a theater on Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City in late February. Photo: *Thanh Tung*

Mai was classified as 18+ by the National Film Censorship Board because it contains some "hot" scenes of the two main characters Mai (Phuong Anh Dao) and Duong (Tuan Tran). The film is Tran Thanh's first work to be labeled not for audiences under 18 years old, with an investment of nearly 50 billion VND, mainly in the setting.

The film revolves around the life of the female lead named Mai (Phuong Anh Dao), a nearly 40-year-old massage worker who accidentally meets musician Duong (Tuan Tran) and is pursued by him. Lacking self-confidence, Mai does not have the courage to accept the feelings of a guy seven years her junior. Mai is currently the fastest-selling Vietnamese film, reaching 450 billion VND.