Skin of Youth

Vietnam | 2025 | 121 min. | Ash Mayfair

February 23, 2026

1990s Saigon. Two young LGBTQ+ lovers become entangled in the criminal underworld and must do battle with dark forces that threaten their relationship and test the limits of their humanity.

Co-presented by SIFF and the UW Department of Asian Language and Literature. Post-film Q&A with Director Ash Mayfair, moderated by Ungsan Kim. 

Tickets

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Monday, February 23, 2026

Ash Mayfair follows her acclaimed debut The Third Wife with a luminous yet gritty romance set in 1990s Saigon. San (Tran Quan), a transgender woman saving for gender-affirming surgery, and her devoted lover Nam, a cage fighter, face peril when drawn into a dangerous underworld by a manipulative oligarch fascinated with San. This nuanced exploration of LGBTQ+ life and personal freedoms balances raw intensity with dreamlike imagery, showcasing emotionally charged performances, vibrant cinematography, and sensuous direction, capturing love tested to its limits.

  • Director: Ash Mayfair
  • Principal Cast: Tran Quan, Vo Dien Gia Huy
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Year: 2025
  • Running Time: 121 min.
  • Language: Vietnamese
  • Has Subtitles: Yes