The journey of mobile films

The journey of mobile film cameras.

A mobile film screening for people in the highlands.

After hours of following the "soldiers" of Film Projection Team No. 1, Thanh Hoa Tourism and Culture Promotion Center, we finally arrived at Xia Noi village, Son Thuy commune. After a few conversations with the villagers, the "soldiers" of the film projection team immediately got to work. Some were setting up the screen and tying the ropes, while others were installing, adjusting the equipment, and amplifying the sound system... in preparation for the evening's cultural performance and mobile film screening for the villagers.

Mr. Le The Chuyen, in charge of Film Screening Team No. 1, said: "This time, coming to Xia Noi village - where mainly Mong ethnic people live - we will organize a cultural program performed by artists and actors from the Thanh Hoa Tourism and Culture Promotion Center and Film Center with many special performances, such as: songs and dances praising the Party, Uncle Ho, love for the homeland, the country, the Vietnamese people, the tradition of solidarity and close ties among ethnic communities in the province... At the same time, we will bring films about war, revolution, and social life such as "The Scent of Burning Grass," "The Road Through the Forest," "Glorious Revolutionary Journeys"...

“The job of a mobile film screening is very challenging, especially for our team which is in charge of mountainous areas. The roads are remote, many places are narrow and steep, and even cars carrying equipment can't reach them, forcing us to transport everything by motorbike. A nearby screening location takes several hours to reach, while a distant village takes a whole morning, or even from early morning until late at night… Difficulties with transportation, weather, or vehicle breakdowns are common problems for everyone in our team. Not only that, on rainy and windy days, the roads are slippery, and accidents are always a risk. After screening a film, the team members often have to pack up their equipment around 11 or 12 midnight. Although the job is hard, we feel honored and proud because whenever we arrive in a screening area and see the people enthusiastically and sincerely welcoming us, all the difficulties seem to disappear,” Mr. Chuyen confided.

Ms. Sung Thi Lau, a resident of Xia Noi village, shared: "For people in remote areas, watching these films is incredibly valuable. Therefore, whenever a traveling film crew comes, the whole village rejoices like a festival; everyone eagerly goes to watch. Today, we got to watch films about the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, and the film crew actively disseminated the Party and State's policies, guidelines, and laws to the people. This not only raised our awareness and understanding of the law but also enriched our cultural and spiritual lives."

Sharing about mobile film screenings, Mr. Duong Ngoc Lam, Head of the Film Department, Thanh Hoa Tourism and Culture Promotion Center, said: Currently, the center has 4 mobile film screening teams, covering most localities in the province. From the beginning of 2025 until now, the teams have screened nearly 800 films with content ranging from history to revolutionary traditions, entertainment, etc., serving people in hundreds of villages, hamlets, agencies, units, schools... Especially during peak periods such as May 19th and September 2nd, screenings are arranged to increase. Although mobile films are still eagerly received by people and are an indispensable source of spiritual nourishment for people in remote areas, mobile film screenings also face many difficulties due to the explosion of information technology.

"This situation demands that we continuously improve quality, both in terms of content and technology, especially by investing in modern, synchronized digital film projectors and purchasing additional generators... to promptly meet the needs of the people. At the same time, we need to strengthen innovation in film genres, diversifying them in both form and content, and continuously updating with new films that have social significance and high educational value. We also incorporate ethnic languages such as Thai, Muong, Mong, and Dao into the films to serve ethnic minority communities. Furthermore, the film screening teams also focus on integrating, disseminating, and promoting the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations to the people in remote areas. Through this, we both meet the people's need for cultural and spiritual enjoyment and maximize the effectiveness of disseminating the province's political tasks," Mr. Duong Ngoc Lam affirmed.

Text and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/hanh-trinh-cua-nhung-thuoc-phim-luu-dong-253952.htm