What Is “Tuyệt Đối Điện Ảnh”? The Viral Trend Gen Z Vietnam Can’t Get Enough Of

You Won't Believe It: A Hollywood Director's Quote Is Taking Over Vietnamese Youth's Newsfeeds!

"Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" — this mysterious phrase is appearing everywhere, from TikTok comments to Instagram captions. But what happened? Why is a meme featuring a 70-year-old director making Gen Z go crazy? And why is sitting on the sidewalk drinking iced tea after a breakup called... "tuyệt đối điện ảnh"?

Let's explore this strange cultural phenomenon, because the story behind it is even crazier than you think!

What does "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" mean?

What is a "tuyệt đối điện ảnh"? 

1. From a B&W photo

What does "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" mean? This phrase is the Vietnamese version of the "Absolute Cinema" meme - a global meme phenomenon. The "tuyệt đối điện ảnh" trend originated from a black and white photo of legendary director Martin Scorsese with his hands raised high, appearing in an interview with The New York Times on January 2, 2020.

From that original photo, the online community in America edited it and added the text "Absolute Cinema" below. And just like that, a legendary meme was born!

Martin Scorsese in his iconic pose: The origin of the meme that inspired 'Absolute Cinema'

2. Original meaning

Initially, the "Absolute Cinema" meme was used to express admiration for wonderful, amazing moments in cinema, sports, or events with dramatic, emotional qualities. It's like saying: "Wow, that's perfect, that's cinematic excellence!"

Internet users use this meme to comment on impressive moments in sports matches, beautiful scenes in movies, or surprising and interesting situations online.

When peak sports moments are compared to works of art

3. Global spread

From Reddit, Twitter to TikTok, "Absolute Cinema" quickly became a global phenomenon. Especially in the gaming community on Twitch, this phrase is often used to praise high-level gameplay.

The meme also has a variant called "Kino Is Served" - a type of greentext that also uses Scorsese's image, but with different wording, usually describing a chain of events leading to a surprising, "cinematic" result.

From Reddit to TikTok: The original meme conquered the global online community before reaching Vietnam

Evolution in Vietnamese Gen Z Online Culture

"Absolute Cinema" → "Tuyệt Đối Điện Ảnh" A meme imported 100% from America, but when it reaches Vietnamese Gen Z, it's been modified beyond recognition!

After crossing the border, "Absolute Cinema" transformed into "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" and quickly went viral across Vietnamese social media.

Why is this phrase so hot in Vietnam?

• Sounds more "fancy" than the usual "very beautiful" comment
• Creates a feeling of being an "art critic" even when just casually commenting
• Can be used in all situations: both as praise and as sarcasm
• Saves time from writing long comments but still makes an impression

Vietnamese Gen Z 'innovatively creates' an impressive localized version

Diverse Applications of "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" Gen Z Style

Throw away so-called "long comments"! Vietnamese Gen Z has found a reaction formula that is both concise and "classy":

1. When used sincerely

A stunning sunset photo with golden-orange light breaking through clouds? "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" is the natural reaction when you're overwhelmed by visual beauty.

A perfect sunset moment worthy of the title 'tuyệt đối điện ảnh'

2. When being sarcastic 

Watching a movie with terrible special effects? Seeing a music video with illogical plot points? Comment lightly with "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" - Gen Z's subtle sarcasm that those who understand will understand.

3. When exaggerating

A "sống ảo" (living virtually) check-in corner at a coffee shop? A "drama" moment in everyday life? "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh luôn" - Gen Z's way of elevating ordinary things into art.

Instead of writing lengthy comments like "This photo is as beautiful as a movie", "This footage is so artistic", or "This story is unbelievable", Vietnamese youth just need to comment briefly: "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh". Boom! Enough meaning, enough trend, enough cool.

Everyday drama elevated by Gen Z into surreal cinematic moments

Why does "tuyệt đối điện ảnh" persist so strongly in Vietnam?

1. A kind of "non-language" language

"Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" is actually a type of non-language language. It doesn't need lengthy explanations - just an image that's beautiful enough, "chill" enough, dramatic enough, and people will spontaneously use it. This is how Gen Z communicates in a "less is more" style - fewer words but more meaning.

2. Creates a feeling of "having taste" when used

This phrase isn't as common as everyday language, but carries a hint of "industry insider", a bit of cinephile style. When using it, commenters feel they're evaluating by an artistic standard, creating a sense that they have sophistication and high aesthetic taste.

It's like saying "rich in flavor" instead of "delicious" when rating a dish. It feels more "pro," right?

Commenting like a film critic while simply scrolling through social media

3. Connecting emotions in 1 second

The social media era is an era of immediacy. No need for long captions, just one frame + the comment "tuyệt đối điện ảnh" is enough for others to immediately understand this is a "wow" moment.

It helps create quick emotional connections between the poster and viewers.

4. Implicit application to daily life Vietnamese Gen Z now doesn't just use this phrase for films anymore, but has implicitly applied it to everyday life:

• Sunlight streaming through a window at dusk? "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh."
• Your best friend taking a close-up of your face while you're eating mì gói (instant noodles)? "Tuyệt đối điện ảnh luôn."
• Your crush holding your hand on your first date like in a romance movie? "OMG tuyệt đối điện ảnh!"

Everyday life can also be cinematic, when you know how to "direct" and "shoot" it artistically. And Gen Z always knows how to turn every moment into content.

Every ordinary moment has the potential to become 'Tuyệt đối điện ảnh'

Wrap it up

"Tuyệt đối điện ảnh" is not just a phrase or a simple meme. It has become a cultural phenomenon, a part of the new age internet language in Vietnam.

What slang will we witness exploding in popularity in the future? But whatever it is, internet language will always reflect the endless creativity of Gen Z - people who always know how to make everything become... tuyệt đối điện ảnh!

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