Vietnamese film review: Does 'Tunnel: Sun in the Dark' deserve an Oscar?

It is no coincidence that people working in the film industry and veteran directors all give warm praise to Tunnels: Sun in the Dark . We can see the strength in the material and the special topic - the Vietnam War - always attracts the attention of the world , especially Western audiences and critics.

But what is worth mentioning here is: while Hollywood has exploited this war from an American perspective (like Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon ), the Tunnels provide a view from the inside - from the Vietnamese, inside the Cu Chi Tunnels, from the anonymous people who made history. This is the biggest unique point, bringing international audiences to the "underground", where there are not only guns and bullets but also faith, breath and life flickering in the darkness. A picture of the Vietnam War has never been told in such a way.

Tunnel: Is Sun in the Dark Oscar-worthy? - Photo 1.

Tunnels: Sun in the Dark is the highest-grossing war-revolutionary film in Vietnamese cinema.

PHOTO: DPCC

Another thing I noticed is that in Tunnels: Sun in the Dark, the cinematic language reaches a high level of art. Without using flashy special effects, without falling into symbols or stylized images, director Bui Thac Chuyen chose the difficult path of going into every small detail to depict the pain and beauty of people in war. The battle scenes, falling bombs, and dead people are depicted not in scale but in depth, through the eyes of soldiers, muddy puddles, and drops of blood on the dirt walls.

The audience feels overwhelmed not because of the bombs exploding and bullets falling like many war movies, but because of the deep silence… That emotion is the strong point. The subtlety in each frame, the unforced authenticity, no exhortations but still haunting. And The Tunnels does that.

'Tunnel: Sun in the Dark' meets all the elements to compete in Oscar

I see many people calling The Tunnels: The Sun in the Dark a "docudrama" (a film based on real events). And this is a big advantage when considering the context of the Oscars increasingly appreciating works that are topical, authentic but still have a strong artistic flavor. The Tunnels follows this line and more because it does not borrow a Western perspective but stands straight on the voice of the Vietnamese people - a point that the Oscars always look for in international film nominations: national identity.

No longer weak like many previous Vietnamese films that were eliminated from the "parking lot", The Tunnels: The Sun in the Dark has a strong enough visual part, a neat sound, and coherent and emotional editing. If a few controversial details could be edited, this film would be technically qualified to participate in the Oscars. Besides, the atmosphere of the film is not dry like old revolutionary films. Although there are highly fictional parts, overall, The Tunnels has created a real feeling, almost like a vivid memory. This is what international audiences are always curious about when talking about the Vietnam War.

Tunnels: The Sun in the Dark has deep Vietnamese cultural roots, and is also open to humanity when talking about sacrifice, resistance, humanity and the desire to live. That is the point of connection for global audiences. Of course, the film also has flaws, but its strengths are obvious. With the right adjustments from the producer and strategic media support, the film can completely enter the Oscar race for the Best International Film category. There is no need to dream of the highest award. Just a nomination, a recognition from the Oscar committee, Vietnamese films will take a big step forward on the world cinema map. And Tunnels is the first candidate worthy of our dreams.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khan-gia-binh-phim-viet-dia-dao-mat-troi-trong-bong-toi-co-xung-du-oscar-185250415114921254.htm