Films mark historical milestones

Nationwide screening of an array of historical films and documentary movies will be held to celebrate the nation's notable anniversaries, announced the culture ministry's Cinematography Department.

The department's director, Ngo Phuong Lan, revealed that the films will be shown to the public between April 25 and May 20 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory, the National Reunification Day (April 30), Labour Day (May 1), and late President Ho Chi Minh's 124th birth anniversary (May 19).


"The film screening is an important activity marking the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and is held at a national level," noted Lan.

"Only high-quality films in terms of ideology and educational significance are selected for screening," she emphasised.

According to the organisers, the film screening programme aims to showcase high-quality movies and documentary films of the Vietnamese film industry in the recent years, notably Song Cung Lich Su (Living With History) and Dien Bien Que Toi (Dien Bien, My Hometown). These two films were made to fill an order from the State in order to celebrate the historical victory.

Screening of the two films last night officially kicked off the month-long event at the National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha Street, Ha Noi.

"Song Cung Lich Su is the voice of the young generation and the nation about the Dien Bien Phu Victory, whereas Dien Bien Que Toi is worthy of being presented to the audience, not only in Dien Bien, but in localities across the nation on this occasion," Lan remarked.

Song Cung Lich Su by director Nguyen Thanh Van portrays the journey of youngsters to Dien Bien after getting to know about the historical victory through documentaries and images.

The documentary Dien Bien Que Toi sheds light on the story of a big family, Vu in Dien Bien who is strongly patriotic and dares to challenge the clan's prejudice to work for the revolutionary cause and current social development.

The film also displays a novel present-day perspective on the land and people of Dien Bien.

Other works scheduled to be screened are feature films, Nga Ba Dong Loc (Dong Loc T-junction), Vao Nam Ra Bac (Heading towards the South and Returning to the North), and documentaries, such as Dia Chan o Dia Bien Phu (Shake in Dien Bien Phu) and Hoi Uc Dien Bien (Memory of Dien Bien).

The programme is jointly organised by the Cinematography Department, National Film Centre, the FAFIM Viet Nam Joint-stock Company, and other film production companies.