Plan International Canada 287d ago

At just 15, Ngân dreams of studying, singing and choosing her own future—but her path has already been decided. In rural Vietnam, where tradition still holds sway, Ngân’s marriage has been arranged through Tu Vi astrology, her dowry quietly negotiated. To question that fate is to challenge everything she’s been taught to accept. In Ngân’s community, early marriage isn’t uncommon—nearly 60% of people were wed before the legal age, most of them girls. The Price of Dreams is a quietly powerful, visually stunning portrait of a girl caught between generations. Directed by Hà Lệ Diễm—the award-winning Vietnamese filmmaker behind Children of the Mist, her debut feature documentary was shortlisted for an Academy Award, this short film continues her signature approach: intimate, immersive, and deeply respectful of her subjects’ voices. From feeding chickens and planting seeds in her family garden to quietly scrolling her phone in moments of solitude, Ngân straddles two worlds—the customs that guide her daily life, and the growing awareness of the possibilities beyond her rural life. Without casting heroes or villains, the film reveals the quiet emotional work of adaptation: a mother who isn’t resisting change, but uncertain how to guide her daughter through it. Teachers who balance tradition while still offering students support and encouragement to dream of a different future. And Ngân doesn’t fight her culture—she navigates it, gently but bravely. But Ngân isn’t alone. She’s one of 8,184 sponsored children in her community, supported through a program Plan International launched in 2007. And she’s joined over 700 youth in Champions of Change—a Plan club where girls and boys stand together to speak out against child marriage and support each other. There is no grand rebellion here—only quiet resilience. A gentle, sometimes bewildered acceptance of a world evolving in small, deeply personal ways. Through evocative soundscapes, layered character portraits, and subtle visual contrasts—like teens wearing branded clothes beside mothers in traditional clothes—the film speaks volumes without needing to explain. Set against understated melodies and a richly layered soundscape, The Price of Dreams offers an honest and deeply human look at what it means to come of age during a time of cultural transition. With scenes that feel both intimate and universal, the film invites you into a story of hope, change and quiet resistance. Watch now to experience Ngân’s journey—and ask yourself what you’d do if your dreams came with a price. https://plancanada.ca/en-ca/our-work/our-impact/embedded-storytellers #PlanInternational #ChampionsOfChange #LetGirlsLearn #ThePriceOfDreams #endchildmarriage