Human resources are the biggest weakness of Vietnamese cinema.

At the seminar "Developing the Film Industry in the New Era," held on the morning of November 22nd in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival, Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, a full-time member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, stated that human resources are the weakest point among the four pillars of Vietnam's film industry, alongside policy, technology, and market.

The workshop was attended by many leading delegates and film experts, including Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong – Head of the Steering Committee of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival; Director of the Cinema Department Dang Tran Cuong – Head of the Organizing Committee of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival; People's Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, co-Head of the Organizing Committee of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism; Duong Cam Thuy, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Film Association...

Overview of the seminar "Developing the Film Industry in the New Era". Photo: THUY BINH

Humans – the weak link in the cinematic ecosystem.

The workshop focused on exchanging, sharing, and outlining solutions for developing Vietnam's film industry in the context of international integration and digital transformation, thereby promoting the formation of a professional, modern film ecosystem with a strong national identity.

In addition, delegates also discussed trends and applications of new technologies throughout the entire film value chain – from content creation, production, post-production, distribution to audience experience.

Notably, among the four key factors—policy, human resources, technology, and market—Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, a member of the National Assembly 's Committee on Culture and Society, believes that human resources are currently the biggest weakness of Vietnamese cinema.

Analyzing the issue of human resources in depth, Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son argues that when discussing human resources, one must consider a vast ecosystem: from directors, actors, screenwriters to producers, censors, and managers… All are links in the chain that make up a film.

From that, he asserted that people are at the heart of the film industry. However, human resources are currently the weakest link. Although the film industry has made efforts to transform, the human resources problem remains a long-term issue that needs to be fundamentally addressed in the future.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong frankly admitted that the film industry is facing an imbalance in training. While actors and directors are being trained in large numbers, technical and post-production positions – which play a crucial role in the value chain – are severely lacking.

Vietnamese films hold 62% market share: A positive sign.

In the first discussion session themed "Developing the Film Industry in the New Era," the three guests—Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Lan (Director of the Department of Culture and Arts, Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son (Specialized Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society), and director Victor Vu—shared directly on many issues related to the story of Vietnamese identity in cinema, opportunities and challenges in the current context, and international integration.

Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son and Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Lan engaged in many frank discussions. Photo: THUY BINH

Director Victor Vũ believes that, in order to maintain their position and performance, filmmakers must constantly innovate and invest seriously and meticulously to deliver quality products while preserving Vietnamese identity in their storytelling.

Director Victor Vũ shared a brief but focused message about the responsibilities of those in the profession. Photo: THÚY BÌNH

Meanwhile, Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Lan believes that in recent times, many Vietnamese films have been well-received by audiences, not only those with entertainment themes, but also those with historical and revolutionary war themes, which is a promising and encouraging sign. However, Dr. Lan believes that such phenomena also need to be analyzed in order to continue to develop.

Notably, Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Huong, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Galaxy Group and President of Galaxy Studio, stated that preliminary figures show that by 2025, the market share of Vietnamese films will reach 62%, a significant leap from the 42% rate in 2024.

Technology – an important tool, but it needs its own identity.

In the second discussion session , themed "Application of Technology in the Film Industry," Lieutenant Colonel, Meritorious Artist - Director Dang Thai Huyen, Mr. Hang Minh Loi (founder of Lumination), and Mr. Ta Manh Hoang (General Director of Sconnect) shared many stories related to the application of technology in film production and post-production today.

Guests participating in the second discussion session at the conference. Photo: THUY BINH

Meritorious Artist and director Dang Thai Huyen has revealed many interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the production of the film "Red Rain" for the first time. Accordingly, the female director affirmed that technology played a supporting role in helping the film to be perfected. However, the director of "Red Rain" also emphasized the need for harmonious use of technology so as not to lose the emotional depth and cultural identity of the work.

VAN TUAN - THUY BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nhan-luc-la-diem-yeu-lon-nhat-cua-dien-anh-viet-post824817.html