Cu Chi Guerrilla Heroes Reunite at Tunnels Screening

The crew of Tunnels: The Sun in the Dark organized a screening to thank the audience in Cu Chi. The event had many former guerrillas such as Mr. To Van Duc (the prototype of the character Tu Dap - played by Quang Tuan - in the film), Lieutenant Vo Thi Mo, Lieutenant Cao Thi Huong (both prototypes of the character Ba Huong - played by Ho Thu Anh), Tran Thi Neo and people and cadres in Cu Chi.

Armed Forces Hero To Van Duc, 83, said he had watched the finished film three times, along with cuts made during post-production. He thanked director Bui Thac Chuyen many times for making the first feature film about the tunnels.

During the war, he spent his youth here, and was called "the tank destroyer" by his comrades because he created mines to destroy enemy tanks. During the days working behind the scenes with the film crew, he supported the crew by providing information and editing some details of the script. Mr. To Van Duc also directly instructed actor Quang Tuan on the techniques of planting and dismantling mines, helping the artist gain more experience in his role.

For Mr. Duc, the tunnels are a symbol of the indomitable fighting spirit of our army and people during the resistance war. During the screening, he joked with director Bui Thac Chuyen: "Why do I look so ugly at the beginning of the film?"

He also hopes that the film will help the younger generation appreciate the sacrifices of their ancestors and be proud of their homeland. "Like many Cu Chi people, we were able to fight thanks to the tunnel system. Without it, we could not have survived. When we fought, we were in our twenties like the actors. This film has conveyed the fierceness, showing that the previous generation was brave and undaunted," said Mr. To Van Duc.

Armed Forces Hero To Van Duc (left) and former Army Officer Lieutenant Vo Thi Mo at the screening of the film Tunnels on the evening of April 10. Photo: Hoai Thinh

Armed Forces Hero To Van Duc (left) and former Army Lieutenant Vo Thi Mo at the screening of the film "Tunnels" on the evening of April 10. Photo: Hoai Thinh

Sitting next to Mr. To Van Duc during the exchange was Ms. Vo Thi Mo, 78 years old, considered a legendary female guerrilla, who once held the position of commander of the Cu Chi Female Guerrilla Platoon. She said that she went to the cinema with her children and grandchildren to watch the film and everyone was impressed by the scale of the setting and the indomitable spirit of the characters. Ms. Vo Thi Mo said: "Since filming, I have considered the actors as family members, ready to prepare meals to welcome my children every time they come to visit. I am eager to see how the work depicts the people and land of my homeland."

In the work, director Bui Thac Chuyen fictionalized the love story of Ba Huong and Tu Dap so that the audience could feel the romance and humanity in the relationship amidst the harsh circumstances of war. In real life, the two characters only had camaraderie and comradeship. Ms. Vo Thi Mo once participated in fighting the enemy with bombs and mines made by Mr. Duc.

The director said: "I wanted the character to have a tragic story when witnessing bombs and stray bullets. I apologize to Uncle To Van Duc for creating unreal details."

Before the movie The Tunnels, she was the inspiration for the movie The Cu Chi Guerrilla and the play The Desire for Peace . She is famous for her story of fighting in Cu Chi in 1966 and releasing four American soldiers when she saw them reading letters from their families, showing off pictures of their wives and children, and hugging and crying. Later, one of the American veterans returned to Vietnam to thank her.

Ms. Vo Thi Mo (left) was happy to meet actress Khanh Ly (playing Cam) again at the movie screening. Photo: Hoai Thinh

The film Tunnels: The Sun in the Dark directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, the story revolves around a group of 21 guerrillas who stayed in Cu Chi, after the US sweep of Cedar Falls (1967). Captain Bay Theo (played by Thai Hoa) and his teammates were assigned to protect the area for the strategic intelligence group. However, their communications were discovered by the enemy. The guerrillas fell into a dangerous situation, facing many sweeps.

The project, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, was made from socialized budget. On the evening of April 10, the project earned more than 100 billion VND after one week of screening, becoming the first Vietnamese war film to reach this milestone.

Bui Thac Chuyen said he respects the authenticity of the film because he wants to reflect with the audience and learn historical lessons through the work. Many scenes were inspired by real prototypes. The film crew also invested in costumes - an important factor in depicting the late 1960s. The director and the design team carefully studied history to avoid controversial situations.

Kim Ly (According to vnexpress.net)

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/126843/Anh-hung-du-kich-Cu-Chi-hoi-ngo-o-buoi-chieu-