Memories of war and tears of peace in "Red Rain"

"Red Rain" is not only a movie but also a historical memory that makes soldiers who fought in the Citadel like him unable to hold back their tears.

The film "Red Rain" was adapted from a script by writer Chu Lai, directed by Meritorious Artist Dang Thai Huyen, Deputy Director in charge of Arts and Cinema of the People's Army.

The film is inspired and fictionalized from the 81-day and night event from (June 28, 1972 - September 16, 1972) to protect Quang Tri Citadel in 1972. This is considered one of the fiercest battles of the 20th century.

The film also recreates the Paris Conference on Vietnam, which demonstrated Vietnam's foreign policy mettle and justice, contributing to a comprehensive reflection of the journey to gain independence and peace .

In recent days, the movie "Red Rain" has been widely released, bringing special emotions to viewers, creating an unprecedented phenomenon when it was released. The movie depicts a part of the fierce memories of the 81 days and nights of Quang Tri Citadel, at the same time sending a message of gratitude for today's peace.

Relive your twenties

For veteran Nguyen Van Hoi (80 years old), former Military Assistant of Battalion K3-Tam Dao, although the war is long gone, the memory of the 81-day and night battle to protect Quang Tri Citadel seems like it happened only yesterday.

Tears streamed down the face of the old soldier who had experienced war, life and death. All boundaries seemed to be erased, the past and present seemed to blend together as he watched the movie "Red Rain."

All recall a heroic, tragic but also painful period when his comrades lay down forever on this sacred land.

Recalling the unforgettable years, veteran Nguyen Van Hoi emotionally said: "I still remember clearly the fiercest battle on August 23, 1972 at the Quang Tri Citadel. When our forces were very small but had to face the enemy's Marine Company, comrade Han Duy Long, a soldier of Company 9, bravely fired 9 B40s and 1 B41 into the enemy formation, forcing them to flee. One fell, another charged forward, all of us wholeheartedly kept our oath to the Fatherland. For our unit, the sacred oath of honor and symbol of determination to die "K3 Tam Dao remains, the Citadel remains" that comrade Le Trong Tan, Commander of Front B5 and comrade Bui Quoc Duong, Chief of Staff of the front, assigned the task to Battalion K3 - Tam Dao to cross the river to guard the Citadel on July 9, 1972 is still in our hearts."

Mr. Hoi was one of the few people who fought directly from the first days until the last day and left the Citadel on September 16, 1972.

With the film "Red Rain," he was also invited to attend the premiere and introduction of the work. In particular, he had meetings with the director and actors to share fierce memories of the war, helping them transform into their characters in a realistic and emotional way.

This is not only a movie but also a historical memory that makes soldiers who fought in the Citadel like him unable to hold back their tears.

Mr. Hoi added that the original script by writer Chu Lai had many fictional details but still reflected the spirit and ferocity of war: the losses when soldiers died without their bodies remaining intact; soldiers who went crazy because of bombs and bullets... All of these depicted the tragic truth of the 81 fiery days and nights in 1972. During those historic days, more than 1,000 of his comrades fell, forever remaining on this land.

The tears of veterans like Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi are not only heroic memories of fallen comrades but also pride when witnessing today's generation reenacting the glorious time of their fathers.

A battle inside Quang Tri citadel, 1972. (Photo: Doan Cong Tinh)

For them, each film is a slice of memory, recalling the ultimate loss but at the same time affirming the indomitable spirit of the soldiers of Quang Tri Citadel in the past.

For female guerrilla Nguyen Thi Thu (born in 1954, residing in Ward 4, Trieu Phong Commune, Quang Tri Province), who appeared in the photo "The old fisherman Trieu Phong and his son carry soldiers and weapons to support the Citadel" by war reporter Doan Cong Tinh, People's Army Newspaper, recorded on the Thach Han River in the summer of 1972, the film made her heart ache.

During the war, the 18-year-old female guerrilla silently rowed day and night to transport food, weapons and soldiers to the Citadel to fight, becoming a symbol of bravery. During the 81-day and night campaign to protect the Quang Tri Citadel, Ms. Thu could not remember how many times she rowed a boat to take soldiers across the river.

For Ms. Thu, the character "O Hong" in the film is the image of many female youth volunteers and guerrillas who are ready to support the army, contributing a part of their efforts to the fight to protect the Fatherland and gain national independence.

The film contributes to inspiring today's young generation to learn more about historical stories, love their country and cherish peace.

“Every ferry trip across the river is a time to face death, but my father and I are determined to row firmly to bring our soldiers across the river safely. Every time I see soldiers seriously injured or permanently left on the battlefield, I am in great pain,” Mrs. Thu said, choking up.

Cherish every moment of peace

Veteran Doan Thi (79 years old, Head of the liaison committee of Battalion 45, former Quang Binh Provincial Military Command) shared that the detail that brought him to tears the most in the film was the scene where the mother released flowers on the river. That image made him see the image of himself in the past.

“I still remember clearly, the day of the march, I had a chance to pass by my house, I took the opportunity to go visit but could not meet anyone because my parents had evacuated. When watching the movie, I thought, if I had sacrificed that day, my mother would have remembered me by dropping flowers like this,” Mr. Doan Thi said emotionally.

Images of blood and flowers, loss and sacrifice are vividly recreated, making every viewer clearly feel the value of today's peace exchanged for the blood and bones of generations of ancestors.

Sharing with us, Mr. Doan Thi said that "Red Rain" is a film with an important historical mark. Although there are many forced, unreasonable and sometimes exaggerated details in the film, in general this is a film for the young generation and everyone should watch. We watch it to remember our time. The young generation should watch it to know about the history and traditions of the previous generation to preserve and protect the country today and tomorrow.

From the emotional choking of veterans to the vibrations in the hearts of young audiences, the film Red Rain becomes a bridge connecting the past with the present. Through that, it conveys a profound message: Cherish peace, be grateful for history and live responsibly towards the Fatherland today.

Sharing his feelings after watching the movie "Red Rain," Nguyen Ngoc Duc, Dong Thuan ward, Quang Tri province said: "I was really moved. Although I was born in peacetime and never experienced war, the movie helped me clearly feel the fierceness, loss and bravery of the previous generation." There were many moments when I choked up and could not hold back my tears, especially when I saw the soldiers who were very young but willing to sacrifice for the peace of the Fatherland. For us, this is not only a movie but also a vivid history lesson, helping the younger generation better understand the value of independence and freedom...

The film "Red Rain" not only recreates a heroic historical period but also lights up in the hearts of every person today a flame of gratitude and pride. It is a reminder for us to live up to the sacrifices of generations of our ancestors, the outstanding sons of our homeland who fell for the eternal existence of the Fatherland, for today's generation to grow up in peace and continue to write the glorious history of the nation.

As veteran Nguyen Van Hoi's message to today's young generation: "Peaceful life does not come naturally. Behind it is the blood and bones of many generations of fathers and brothers. I hope those who are living in peace today will know how to appreciate, be grateful and live responsibly towards the country"./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ky-uc-chien-tranh-va-giot-nuoc-mat-hoa-binh-trong-mua-do-post1061655.vnp