The public reflects the reality of cinema

nb-nguyen-my-linh-2(1).jpeg — Journalist Nguyen My Linh.

Commenting on director Tran Anh Hung's film in France, journalist Nguyen My Linh said: "Can you imagine that in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, France still produced 200 films in 2020, so don't expect the film to have a big impact like in Vietnam. For the public of a country where every week there are several new films released in theaters, with all kinds of different topics and qualities, it is common to see equal attention for the works. In my observation, Tran Anh Hung's film is controversial. Those who like it like it very much, those who criticize it very much. Making a film in a country where a few hundred films are mentioned for debate is precious, not falling into the void like the fate of many other films is also a blessing."

However, the film did not receive widespread response from the Vietnamese public, didn't you think?

- I think that's quite normal. Are our film critics strong? The fact that many people give general praise like "so talented, the film is so beautifully shot", but the public doesn't respond to it shows the true state of the criticism industry as well as the film public in our country. Personally, I think it's better to give general praise that is not accurate, than to stay silent and even criticize if it's correct.

The public is not used to the diversity of cinema, nor is it in the habit of going to the cinema to watch a film that they know for sure is not easy to watch, or even that they might not like, so it is not surprising that they do not respond. Even in France, there are film reviews as small as a box of chocolate, bland praise and criticism, just a summary of the content with a couple of comments. It's just that their praise and criticism are more direct than ours.

When our cinemas are filled with all genres, our film criticism industry develops, our critics criticize for the development of cinema and not for personal likes and dislikes, and our public is willing to go to the cinema to watch all genres of films because they want to understand and not simply for entertainment, then all opinions and assessments will be truly valid.

Obviously, with popular movies, the Vietnamese public is much more interested?

- It's also easy to understand (laughs). When watching movies for pure entertainment is the need of most of society, it's only right that they choose that. When you come home from work tired, life is full of pressure, choose something that doesn't give you a headache, why watch something that you find far from your understanding and taste? I'm expressing the thoughts of many people, right?

The public reflects the reality of society and the reality of the film industry. The reality of society is that the public is not familiar with and does not have the need to see works that make them think about techniques and trends. The reality of the film industry is that there are few films that are not popular in the language of expression but are good for ordinary people, and there are not many good, independent film critics to give praise and criticism that do not smell of PR or excessive beating.

So can we see the problems in the public's enjoyment of cinema?

- I think it's a matter of the intelligence as well as the cultural characteristics of each country. In a country where the people are not violent, the music is mostly gentle and pleasant pop, rock cannot develop like in England, documentaries are never difficult to watch and especially in Germany, performance theatre never has a place to thrive.

The Vietnamese public is now more discerning in its cinema enjoyment than before, but personally I think it is still not diverse, both due to its characteristics and its habit of enjoying culture, preferring lightness and gentleness, the more sentimental it is, the more it likes it (laughs). I think when life is better, people are more educated, and the habit of watching things they don't like just to know more becomes more common, then the way Vietnamese people watch will change. Of course, the role of very independent critics is also needed. Cold, without love or hate.

So is it necessary to improve the taste and enjoyment level of the Vietnamese public, ma'am?

- When culture and art are placed in their proper place, considered important in the development of a country and contribute to the balance of social mentality, then there will be citizens with a good cultural foundation and tastes approaching good aesthetics. World reality shows that there is no other way and also shows the power of culture in general and cinema in particular with the brand of a country, in influencing other cultures and countries.

Next May, continuing the Cannes Film Festival season, what are your expectations for Vietnamese cinema?

- This year I don't expect anything, because as far as I know at this time we don't have any films that can make it to the next round. There is a film called "In Nguyen's Kitchen" directed by Stephan Ly Cuong that probably won't be selected by Cannes.

Thanks for sharing!

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