2025 has been a year of great films, and that trend has continued through the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film recently made its world premiere in the special presentations category of the festival.
Directed by Leon Le and co-produced with Luan Thanh Vu, Ky Nam Inn, simply put, is an excellent piece of cinema. I would be bold and call it the crown jewel of TIFF. Shooting the film in 35mm accentuated the 1980s setting and allowed the film to express all of its natural beauty. The story centers around Khang (Lien Binh Phat), a young translator who relocates to post-war Saigon. With a favorable job waiting upon arrival due to his family’s influence, he’s tasked with translating Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. Having youth and good looks on his side, he easily wins over his neighbors in his apartment. But once he meets Ky Nam (Do Thi Hai Yen), an older widow who lives downstairs, something special happens between the two that’s impossible to hide.
This feel-good story not only fills the heart, but is loaded with endless detail. The film boasts a uniqueness that American films can’t replicate. The camaraderie of the apartment tenants, the willingness to help one another in troubling times, and the mesmerizing score are just a few components that set this film apart.
Khang is from North Vietnam. For those unfamiliar with the Vietnam War, the North eventually took over the South and reunified the country. The story takes place during the recovery period, just years after the war ended. We know this for two reasons. First, because the neighbors’ initial reactions to Khang’s kindness were sheer shock (and his family wasn’t thrilled about it). Secondly, during an exchange with Ky Nam, he referred to a certain meat as “ruoc”. After correcting him about her “shredded pork”, she explained that ruoc was a term only northerners use.
Khang has a lot on his plate. He’s responsible for translating the largest book I’ve ever seen on screen. He goes the extra mile with his work so as not to look like a nepo hire. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s determined to assist Ky Nam with everything she needs, even motivating her helper, Su (The Manh Tran).
Ky Nam Inn offers a certain kind of passion that’s simple and often overlooked. This isn’t a story where two people fall in love; more so, it’s two people who find a deep comfort with each other. There wasn’t hand-holding or cuddling, as we’re used to seeing here in the States; the often-used visual of physical intimacy. Instead, those visuals are replaced with two people cooking, discussing books, and riding bikes. The presence of another was enough to suffice.
Every space in their building had its own charm and bore a glow of nostalgia (another nod to that 35mm). They shared numerous literary pieces throughout the film, and even recipes. Vietnamese culture was glowing, but my favorite was the sounds throughout the day. How the hallways echoed the voice of a man selling scrap metal and power boosters daily. Watching Ky Nam, Khang, and Su interact in the kitchen, whether it’s preparing food or cleaning utensils. A pivotal moment occurred at dinner with Mr. Hao (Van Than Le), the neighborhood doctor. Through conversation, the discussion of love was on the table, but the tone was set due to the music. The melodic sounds of what I know now to be Ha Thanh filled the room with calm, allowing the trio to share philosophies with ease.
It’s not too late to see this cinematic masterpiece at TIFF. There’s one screening left on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 11:30 AM in the Scotiabank Theatre.
Ky Nam Inn gets a 9 out of 10. The only knock I have on this film is its pace. It plods and takes its time, adding to the fatigue one may feel after reading subtitles for over two hours. Perfect segue to the runtime, right? Clocking in well over two hours, the film would’ve had the same effect had it been about 40 minutes shorter. Aside from those small details, everything else is fantastic. The film is low on drama and high on story and visuals. This is the type of film that will draw people back into theatres.
Ky Nam Inn is now playing at TIFF.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Ky Nam Inn
Genre: Romance
Rating: Unrated
Runtime: 2 hr 20 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: World premiere: September 7, 2025
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