Journey of development and new challenges

The seminar aimed to comprehensively summarize and evaluate the outstanding achievements of Vietnamese cinema over the past 50 years, while also identifying existing shortcomings and proposing solutions for future development.

At the seminar, Associate Professor Vu Ngoc Thanh, former Rector of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film, shared his insights on the development of Vietnamese feature films over the past half-century. He noted that Vietnamese feature films have skillfully combined epic, poetic, and patriotic genres, contributing to the unique identity of the country's cinema.

"Feature films are a mirror reflecting society and ideology. To attract audiences, filmmakers need to focus on novelty in appearance, vitality, and creative quality," Associate Professor Thanh emphasized. He also pointed out that innovation in technique, art, content, and filmmaking style is a decisive factor for the development of national cinema.

Speaking at the conference, Professor Tran Thanh Hiep, former Rector of the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film, stated that documentary and scientific films have gone through many stages of development since the country's reunification. However, for this genre to continue to develop, the key issue is how to bring the works to the audience.

"The path for documentaries and scientific films to reach audiences needs to be seriously discussed. Viewer reception is a great source of motivation for filmmakers to continue creating and developing," Professor Hiep stated.

Assessing the human resources in the film industry, journalist and photographer Tran Viet Van pointed out the worrying reality of the shortage of quality personnel. According to him, Vietnamese cinema needs a systematic and comprehensive training strategy to create a generation of talented directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and actors, contributing to bringing Vietnamese cinema to the world .

"Only with a strong workforce can Vietnamese cinema develop sustainably and reach international standards," Mr. Viet Van affirmed.

Discussing the challenges, Associate Professor Dr. Do Le Hung Tu, President of the Vietnam Film Association, emphasized that one of the biggest challenges facing Vietnamese cinema is the economic issue. He stated that many filmmakers have faced the risk of financial loss, but their passion and dedication to art have helped them overcome these difficulties.

50 Years of Vietnamese Cinema: A Journey of Development and New Challenges (Figure 2) — Associate Professor Dr. Do Le Hung Tu, President of the Vietnam Film Association, speaking at the conference - Photo: The Quang

Regarding this matter, director Vu Thanh Vinh, the man behind the film "Hai Muoi," shared: "Making films can sometimes cost you a fortune, but passion has helped me and many colleagues keep moving forward. Success is not easy, but relentless effort will yield results."

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Cinema Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), affirmed that the Government's specific mechanisms and policies will be a crucial factor in promoting the development of the film industry. She also proposed allocating budget to build a system for digitizing film archives produced in Vietnam since 1945, in order to preserve and utilize these works on online platforms.

"We need to accelerate the digitization of films and bring valuable works closer to the public both domestically and internationally. The ultimate goal is for Vietnamese people to love Vietnamese films and to spread the value of national cinema globally," Ms. Ha emphasized.

With the participation and contributions of experts, directors, and managers, the workshop clarified the challenges and opportunities that Vietnamese cinema faces in the future, laying the foundation for a new development journey, promising much potential and breakthroughs.

Comment (0)