The Hive | Portrait Documentary (2026) |
The Hive explores the relationship between inherited knowledge and a changing world — between education and tradition, and the desire to move forward while remaining connected to where you come from. As the world around us shifts in ways that are increasingly difficult to predict, the film offers a quiet reflection on the value of adapting without forgetting.
The Hive is currently in the final stages of post-production and will be available to watch soon.
The Hmong are one of the largest minority ethnic groups in Vietnam, with an estimated population of around 1.4 million. In Mù Cang Chải, a remote highland district in northwestern Vietnam, they form the vast majority of the population.
Since their ancestors first arrived there, travelling southwards through China, many have continued to live a largely self-sufficient lifestyle, relying on farming, traditional crafts and resources provided by their immediate environment.
More recently, however, as growing tourism and commercialisation have brought new opportunities, this way of life has also had to adapt to a changing and increasingly unpredictable world.
For Yien, adapting to a changing world has meant looking back to the knowledge and traditions passed down through generations. His story reflects the ways in which these traditions continue to shape everyday life, even as the world around them changes.
