A chronically online, socially inept teenager takes a leap of faith to meet up with her virtual bestie for the first time. “Thru the Wire,” directed by Bocau, is a modern coming-of-age film set in Vietnam with an honest account of where online and IRL conflict. “Fried_fish_ball” (we never get her real name) spends her after-school hours in the world of an online character game. While her family dynamic is mostly amicable, it’s difficult for her mom and socially out-going little sister to get a hold of her. Quick to return to the keyboard, she vents with her online best friend, “stir_fried_corn,” who eventually suggests the two finally meet up in the real world. Despite the concerned advice of her only friend at school, “fried_fish_ball” remains optimistic and decides to go through with the hang-out. There, expectations are not quite met. A stylistically upbeat film where the internet is central to the young character’s coming-of-age, Boca’s film delivers a rich look at teen life in Vietnam. -JM. Director: Bocau. Cast: Thao Hien, Thu Giang, Cong Tri, Kim Chuc, Bao Han, Cong Thanh. DP: Max Retik. Editor: Bocau and Max Retik. Producers: Hoa Pham and Max Retik.