Hanoi (VNA) — Vietnamese TV serial Chieungang qua pho cu (Walking on Old Street in the Afternoon) has beenannounced as the winner of Special Awards for Foreign Drama at the11th International Drama Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

Director Trinh Le Phong and leading actress Nguyen Minh Trangwill represent the film crew to receive the honour at the awards ceremony heldon October 26 in Tokyo.

Produced by the Vietnam Television Film Centre (VFC), theserial was screened domestically in late 2016. It tells the story of a familyliving in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and reflects on how socioeconomic changes havecreated a generational divide and altered family relationships.

When the siblings grow up and have their own families, they become selfish andconflicts over financial interests separate the family members.

Director Phong said he and all members of the film crew felthappy and proud when they received news of the award, which they shared withfriends on Facebook.

“It’s not only a film, it’s a story of a family in Hanoi.It’s such a universal theme that each one of us can find a part of our family,”Phong said.

The drama was nominated for the Best TV Serial at VTV Awards2017, a domestic award, but didn’t receive the prize.

Phong said it’s common for a film that loses out in one competitionto succeed in another.

“I don’t think much about it,” he said. “I just focus onfilmmaking and try to do the best.”

Previously, TV serial Chay an (Obstructing justicewith bribery), another work produced by VFC, also received the Special Awardfor Foreign Drama at the first Tokyo International Drama Festival.

Founded in 2008, the Tokyo International Drama Festivalrecognises excellent dramas produced in Japan to promote outstanding dramasfrom Japan to an international audience. The Special Award for Foreign Dramais intended to enhance cultural understanding and business partnerships.-VNA