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The Third Wife
The Third Wife
7.9
/10
629 Ratings

THE THIRD WIFE

Người vợ ba

Directed by Ash Mayfair
Vietnam, 2018
Drama, History

Synopsis

In 19th-century rural Vietnam, 14-years-old May is to be the third wife of a wealthy landowner. Her new home seems idyllic, her husband favours her, and she quickly becomes pregnant. But trouble is quietly brewing: she witnesses a forbidden tryst that sparkles a chain reaction of misfortunes.

Synopsis

In 19th-century rural Vietnam, 14-years-old May is to be the third wife of a wealthy landowner. Her new home seems idyllic, her husband favours her, and she quickly becomes pregnant. But trouble is quietly brewing: she witnesses a forbidden tryst that sparkles a chain reaction of misfortunes.

Our take

In this sensual debut from Ash Mayfair, the pastoral sumptuousness of rural life in feudal Vietnam belies the systematic cruelty of patriarchal traditions and values. Brimming with forbidden yearning, the film’s portrayal of women’s subjugation remains startlingly relevant in our contemporary times.