The people who brought the film back to the village.

QTO - The Truong Son mountain range in western Quang Tri province has been the homeland of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups for generations, and also the land where many generations of filmmakers in the mountainous region of Quang Tri have shared a deep and affectionate bond. Silently, through the years, they have persistently traversed high mountains and deep streams to bring films to the villages. Not only does this bring joy and enrich the cultural and spiritual lives of the people, but this work also contributes to changing the face of rural mountainous areas along the Vietnam-Laos border, making each village more prosperous and vibrant.

"Carrying the film"... back to the village.

The Sa Mu Pass is over 18km long and reaches an altitude of over 1,600m above sea level. Crossing the perpetually foggy and cloud-covered Sa Mu peak is the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a route that evokes a romantic feeling due to its majestic mountains, but also harbors potential dangers. Dense fog restricts visibility, the steep slopes and the risk of landslides during the rainy season are constant. In winter, there are days when only a few motorbikes cross the Sa Mu peak, mainly carrying teachers stationed in remote villages and some villagers needing to go to the markets in Khe Sanh or Lao Bao.

Despite being familiar with the route, the members of the No. 1 Mountain Film Screening Team of the Quang Tri Provincial Cultural and Film Center still feel anxious every time they cross the pass. And it's not just Sa Mu; most of the roads leading to the villages of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people are fraught with difficulties. Therefore, some wonder: What keeps these men dedicated to their work in these remote, challenging mountainous areas, enduring both the rainy and dry seasons?

Mr. Phan Thanh Luong, Team Leader of Film Screening Team No. 1, shared: “I decided to dedicate myself to film screenings in mountainous areas because I want to contribute my small efforts to the transformation of villages in the heart of the mountains, where the lives of the people still desperately need encouragement and assistance…”.

Quang Tri's No. 1 Mountain Film Screening Team is also the only mobile film screening team in the entire country to be awarded the title of Heroic Labor Unit by the Party and the State.

Preparations before each film screening by Film Screening Team No. 1 - Photo: PTL

Located along the Vietnam-Laos border, at the foot of the Sa Mu Pass, Ta Rung village in Huong Lap commune is one of more than 80 stops annually for Film Screening Team No. 1, with 168 screenings. While the adults are still working in the fields far away, the film screening team is greeted by the village elders and children. Having just traveled a long distance and without time to rest, the first thing the film crew does is check the equipment, sound system, and set up the screen to prepare for the screening.

In November, the Trường Sơn mountain range is still in the rainy season. Sudden jungle downpours can easily cut off roads due to streams, making travel difficult. Yet, upon hearing that a film crew was coming to the village, the villagers rearranged their schedules to come and watch. It was truly touching that the people not only arrived early but were also willing to brave the rain to see the film.

"Bringing films back to the village" is hard work, but the greatest reward for those who screen the films is the joy evident in the eyes of the children and the smiles of the elderly. And after the screenings end, the villagers keep asking: When will your film screening team come back?

Down the Se Bang Hieng river, near the Vietnam-Laos border, lies the village of Cu Bai, where roads remain extremely difficult to navigate. Hearing that a film crew was coming, the village elders immediately sent young men to help carry the equipment across the river. The familiar and indispensable tasks of the film crew were still erecting poles, hanging screens, and decorating with lights to make the screening more lively.

Ms. Ho Thi Ven, Vice Chairwoman of Huong Lap commune and a native of Cu Bai village, emotionally shared: "Whenever a film crew from your company comes to Cu Bai and Ta Pang, everyone is happy. Especially, the Van Kieu people on the other side of the Vietnam-Laos border even walk nearly ten kilometers to watch the film."

Like many ethnic minority villages in the Truong Son mountain range, after a day working in the fields, the people of Cu Bai usually go to bed early. However, when a film is shown in their village, from young children to the elderly, everyone gathers in the courtyard of the community center. For them, the night of the film screening is always a sleepless night.

A cultural bridge between the Truong Son Mountains.

The films for the people of the mountainous region are always carefully selected by the Quang Tri Cultural and Film Center, with rich content. These include films on revolutionary themes; studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh; exemplary individuals and good deeds, successful economic activities; propaganda on disease prevention and control; the harmful effects of drugs and crime; building a peaceful and friendly border; and feature films about preserving Vietnamese cultural identity... In general, the film programs always meet the expectations of viewers of all ages.

Mr. Ho Van Thoi from Cu Bai village shared: “Our people really enjoy watching instructional films about economic development, such as livestock farming, forestry, and intensive rice cultivation. After watching them, everyone is more determined to build a prosperous life.”

Film screening team No. 1 - Quang Tri Cinema Cultural Center visits the villages of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people - Photo: PTL

On average, the two mountain film screening teams No. 1 and No. 2 of the Quang Tri Cultural and Film Center serve more than 356 screenings annually in the southern mountainous communes of the province. Each year, the film screening team members only take a break for about two months during the rainy season; for the remaining ten months, they are dedicated to living and eating with the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic minorities in the villages. They serve as a cultural bridge between ethnic groups, bringing the light of civilization and the Party's guidelines and the State's policies to people in remote areas.

To accomplish their mission, those working in mountainous film screenings must also learn about the customs and traditions of the local people; do a good job of engaging with the community; maintain a spirit of solidarity, and cooperate closely with local authorities to effectively disseminate information. These men are sons of the villages, "remembered by the people when they leave, and cherished by the people when they stay." Thanks to the knowledge gained from films, many families have applied it to livestock farming and agriculture, not only escaping poverty but also becoming wealthy right on their homeland.

To reach remote mountain villages, each member of the film screening teams tirelessly carries their equipment on their shoulders through both the rainy and sunny seasons. Ms. Le Thi Viet Ha, Director of the Quang Tri Cultural and Film Center, shared: “The mountainous area of ​​Quang Tri is currently very large, while the lives of the people are still difficult and lacking. Therefore, film screenings to serve the people are very necessary. We hope that the people will not only have a peaceful life, but also have the opportunity to improve their cultural and spiritual lives and preserve their ethnic identity.”

The footsteps of the film crew members have truly reached the most remote and isolated villages, contributing to the eradication of poverty and outdated customs that have existed for generations. The light of film has helped the people in these villages strengthen their faith in the Party, uniting them to build a new life. The changes in each village, each house, each life are the driving force that motivates them to overcome difficulties, extend their journeys, and continue to contribute to their homeland in western Quang Tri.

Phan Tan Lam

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202512/nhung-nguoi-dua-phim-ve-ban-8907b67/