Watch The Buffalo Boy

The Buffalo Boy is a 2004 Vietnamese movie that tells the story of a young boy named Kim, who lives with his family in the Mekong Delta during the French occupation in the 1940s. Kim's family tends to a herd of water buffaloes that provide for their livelihood, and Kim is tasked with taking care of the beasts, helping them graze and also using them to plough the fields. The young boy shares a strong bond with the buffaloes, and in many ways, he considers them his family.

The story is a coming-of-age tale that follows Kim as he navigates the challenges of growing up, including a feud with a rival buffalo herder and the death of a beloved buffalo. Meanwhile, the backdrop of the French colonial presence looms large, with tensions rising between the Vietnamese people and their oppressors. Kim's father has a contentious relationship with the French, and his resistance puts his family in danger.

Kim longs for an education, something that is not typically possible for someone in his social class. He sees a way out of a life of poverty by pursuing knowledge, but his father discourages him from leaving the family behind. Kim's father has a deep disdain for the French and the "modern" way of life they bring with them, believing that sticking to their traditional way of living is the only way to escape oppression.

Despite the obstacles in his path, Kim is determined to pursue his dreams, even if it means leaving behind the only life he has ever known. He struggles to reconcile his love for the land and the buffaloes with his desire to better himself and, by extension, his family's future.

The performances in The Buffalo Boy are uniformly excellent, with The Lu Le giving a standout performance as Kim. The young actor deftly captures the character's mix of innocence and determination, creating a fully realized character that is easy to root for. Thi Kieu Trinh Nguyen and Huu Thanh Nguyen are also excellent as Kim's parents, conveying the complexities of their relationship and the struggles they face as a family.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with lush landscapes and stunning vistas that capture the beauty of the Mekong Delta. Director Minh Nguyen-Vo expertly immerses the audience in the world of the film, taking them on a journey that feels both specific to its time and place and universal in its themes of coming-of-age, family, and tradition.

Overall, The Buffalo Boy is a compelling, emotionally resonant film that showcases the talent of its cast and crew. It is a poignant examination of the struggles faced by those living in poverty and the choices one must make in order to secure a better future for themselves and their loved ones. With its deft balancing of personal drama and political tensions, The Buffalo Boy is a film that will leave a lasting impression on viewers.