Workshop 'Imprints of Vietnamese war films since the country's reunification'

(ĐNO) - On the morning of July 2, the People's Committee of Da Nang City coordinated with the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association to organize a workshop on "Imprints of Vietnam's war films since the country's reunification". Attending the workshop was Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi.

Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi speaks at the workshop. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

Speaking at the workshop, Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi said that war - with all its losses, sacrifices and aspirations for peace - has always been a major theme in art, especially cinema. Since the country's reunification, Vietnamese filmmakers have constantly sought and innovated ways of expressing war, not only as an epic, but also as a humane and profound journey about people, about memories and reconciliation.

Works such as “The Wild Field”, “Dong Loc Junction” or “The Legend of Quan Tien” not only leave an artistic mark but are also authentic slices of history, contributing to nurturing patriotism, compassion and the desire to live in each generation of Vietnamese people.

The workshop “Imprints of Vietnam's war films since the country's reunification” is a meaningful activity within the framework of the 3rd Danang Asian Film Festival - 2025, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025) and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

“Today’s workshop is an opportunity for us to look back on the 50-year journey of Vietnamese war films after the country’s reunification - a journey full of passion, creativity and dedication. This is also an opportunity for managers, generations of artists, researchers and the public to discuss, evaluate and orient the future of this film genre in a new context - when cinema is not only an art but also an important cultural industry.

In particular, war films after the country's reunification are not only historical documents but also toolsfor educating patriotism and the nation's heroic history. These films help young people understand the value of peace and the sacrifices of previous generations. Da Nang City always respects true artistic values. We will continue to create favorable conditions for film activities, especially in-depth programs like today, to be organized regularly, contributing to spreading cultural and historical values ​​to domestic and international audiences," Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi emphasized.

Actress Truong Ngoc Anh and Meritorious Artist Hoang Hai (from left to right) attended the workshop. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

The workshop heard delegates present papers on: The true value of a war film; The role of women in war; How soldiers and ordinary Vietnamese people overcame the fierce challenges of war; Revolutionary war films in Vietnam after 1975: New dialogues with the past; The theme of war through the perspective of private filmmakers: a survey of three films: Heroic Bloodline - Ha Dong Silk Dress and Tunnel: Sun in the Dark; Vietnam - Narrative War; When young directors make films about revolutionary war; When war seeks its own story.

Director, Meritorious Artist Bui Tuan Dung believes that a good war film needs to faithfully recreate the context, events and characters; reflect historical truth, not distort or embellish too much; must let viewers see the two sides of a war, see both the glory and tragedy of war. “The film not only tells the story of fighting and killing, but also delves into the lives, sacrifices, or bravery, or cowardice and personal choices of each person - which creates strong convictions about each character's opinions in each situation, each event in the war that the character has to go through. From there, the ego and fate of each character are portrayed in the context that the film's story approaches. War films have more depth when they delve into the psychology, tragedy and emotions of each person in a fierce cycle in which soldiers are not only fighting tools - but also fathers, brothers, sons, and people of love for the family they belong to" - Director, Meritorious Artist Bui Tuan Dung shared.

In addition to the presentations, the workshop also had a discussion with guest actors Hong Anh, Truong Ngoc Anh, Meritorious Artist Hoang Hai, People's Artist Lan Huong and directors Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, Bui Thac Chuyen, Dinh Tuan Vu, Meritorious Artist Luu Trong Ninh, Meritorious Artist Phi Tien Son.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/hoi-thao-dau-an-phim-chien-tranh-cua-viet-nam-tu-sau-ngay-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-3264739.html