Boat People

A Japanese photojournalist who narrates the story through his lens, seeking truth while navigating censorship and surveillance. He witnesses staged propaganda and real brutality, forcing him to confront the limits of reporting under an authoritarian regime. His pursuit of vision and honesty ultimately places him in mortal danger as the narrative reaches its tragic conclusion.

A young man recently released from the New Economic Zone, who tries to rob Akutagawa’s camera and later schemes to escape the country. His desperation propels a doomed plan to flee by boat, ultimately meeting a violent fate at sea as authorities neutralize the attempt. His arc highlights the harsh choices faced by those trapped in the system.

A central figure whose mother secretly works as a prostitute to support her children. Cam Nuong endures a harsh life shaped by exploitation and systemic pressure, revealing the human cost of political upheaval. Her experiences illuminate the bond of family and the resilience needed to endure oppression.

A mother who turns to prostitution to raise her children, caught in the crosshairs of police scrutiny and public shame. Her arrest and public confession expose the commodification of women under state power. She ultimately takes her own life, underscoring the tragedy that rains down on those trapped by circumstance.

A character tied to the Nguyễn sphere, representative of the intimate power dynamics and social compromises that permeate life under occupation and governance. Her presence signals how personal relationships are affected by political pressure and survival instincts in a constrained society.

A political figure associated with the regime, emblematic of the state’s control mechanisms and the political calculus shaping daily life. His interactions reveal the atmosphere of fear, surveillance, and loyalty that sustains the power structure.

An authoritative figure overseeing a security detail, embodying the reach and reach-out of the state’s surveillance apparatus. His presence signals how enforcement and order are maintained in everyday life and how dissent is discouraged.

A medical professional within the New Economic Zone, witnessing the human cost of the regime’s policies through injuries and neglect. The doctor’s perspective emphasizes the fragility of life under harsh conditions and the effort to provide care amid systemic strain.