Vietnamese cinema makes its mark in Paris.

On December 12th, at the Pathé Palace cinema in Paris, the closing ceremony of the Vietnamese Film Week took place in a solemn, warm, and emotional atmosphere. The event concluded a memorable week-long artistic journey, bringing together numerous artists, filmmakers, partners, and attracting thousands of French and international viewers.

The cast and crew of "Red Rain" at the closing ceremony of the "Vietnamese Cinema - Journey of Light" Week.

Held at one of the most modern and luxurious cinemas in France, the final night of the "Vietnamese Cinema - Journey of Light" Week featured many activities reflecting the strong development of Vietnam's seventh art .

Director, Meritorious Artist Dang Thai Huyen, Deputy Director of the People's Army Film Studio, and the actors of the film "Red Rain" at the closing ceremony of the Vietnam Film Week in Paris.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Counselor Pham Thi Kim Yen emphasized: "The Vietnamese Film Week passed quickly with much significance, but it certainly opened up many bright journeys for Vietnamese cinema. That is the story we want to tell the world through this special cultural event. This week has contributed to further spreading the pride of the Vietnamese nation, which has surged strongly since the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, and the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam."

Generations of Vietnamese people in France were deeply moved after watching the film "Red Rain".

The week concluded with the premiere of "Red Rain" by the People's Army Film Studio, a box office phenomenon and the highest-grossing film ever in Vietnam, continuing to evoke strong emotions and offer profound humanistic depth to audiences in the film capital.

Among the more than 400 people present at the film screening were many generations of Vietnamese expatriates and international friends, who learned more about the brutality of war, about the 81-day and 81-night battle at Quang Tri Citadel, and about the courage that generations of Vietnamese people sacrificed their lives for peace .

Ms. Ngan Ha and Mr. Pham Quoc Nghi (from left to right) share their feelings after watching the film "Red Rain".

Ms. Ngan Ha, conductor of the Homeland Choir, shared: "I am deeply moved because the film has touched the hearts of generations of Vietnamese expatriates in France. Today, I brought my granddaughter, Élina Thanh Mai, who was born in France and is about to graduate from film school, to see the film 'Red Rain'. She only knows Vietnam through family stories and doesn't understand or know much about its history. She was very moved by the brutal scenes of the war and immediately told me that she really wants to go back to Vietnam to learn more about the homeland of her grandparents and mother."

Leaving the cinema, Mr. Pham Quoc Nghi, a lecturer at Paris Saclay University, was still deeply moved: "Born in peacetime and having lived in France for over 20 years, I find this to be a truly excellent film about the war in Vietnam. The scenes in the film evoked many special emotions, making viewers reflect on the heroic period of our nation, on the immense hardships we faced to achieve what we have today. I am truly proud of our heroic and resilient Vietnam."

Mr. Tuoc and Ms. Huyen, from the city of Montélimar - more than 600 km from Paris, were delighted to meet the film crew of "Red Rain".

Mr. and Mrs. Etienne Cledel, who live more than 100km from Paris, were very impressed with the Vietnamese films screened this week, especially the film at the closing ceremony. "Red Rain has proven the widespread power of Vietnamese cinema. The film not only tells about war, but also conveys a humanistic message about peace. I have read several books about Vietnamese history, but the images in the film show that the Vietnamese people have gone through truly difficult and painful years, yet always possessed courage and unwavering faith to move towards peace and development," Mr. Etienne Cledel commented.

According to Mr. and Mrs. Etienne Cledel, Vietnamese filmmakers have "opened a door" to the French public, and events like last week's should continue to be organized to tell more "stories of Vietnam, past and present" to international friends.

Long after the film screening, many audience members lingered to share their feelings.

The Vietnamese Film Week, held in Paris from December 5th to 12th, featured 17 outstanding films and attracted over 6,000 visitors from more than 20 countries, along with numerous professional meetings and meaningful exchange activities. The enthusiastic reception from the French and international public contributed to creating a truly significant mark for Vietnamese cinema on the world map.

KHAI HOAN - MINH DUY

Reporter of Nhan Dan Newspaper based in France

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dien-anh-viet-nam-ghi-dau-an-tai-paris-post929986.html