From the lens of a camera on the brink of life and death...
In her small house in Tam Giang commune, Mrs. Lieu quietly cherishes her old camera and rolls of film, faded with time. These are precious "treasures" from a vibrant youth, a time when she and her comrades devoted their hearts and souls to serving the resistance on the media front.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Lieu gazes at the camera that once accompanied her everywhere.
In those years, when cameras and video cameras were still rudimentary, and film developing and printing equipment was scarce, with a thirst for knowledge and courageous dedication, Ms. Lieu and Ms. Ngo Kim Huong together created precious films about the military hospital in the mangrove forest of Ca Mau , where wounded soldiers were treated amidst bombs and bullets, and countless fierce battles fought by the enemy.
Recalling her first visit to the hospital in the mangrove forest, Mrs. Lieu couldn't hide her admiration: "When I entered, I was utterly amazed by the many departments and equipment used to make pills and medicine... I thought it was a marvel, a miracle."
While filming this documentary, Ms. Lieu and Ms. Huong faced many difficulties, but with their love for the profession and their desire to record and create films that serve soldiers and compatriots, fostering love for their homeland and boosting their fighting spirit, they overcame all obstacles, resulting in a moving and meaningful film.
The images are from the film "Hospital in the Mangrove Forest," filmed by Ms. Nguyen Thuy Lieu.
Back then, without formal training, Ms. Lieu learned filming, editing, and practical skills right on the battlefield, adapting flexibly to the situation amidst enemy encirclement. "The instructors taught me photography, videography, and photo developing techniques... I only needed to hear it once to remember it. Being given a video camera or still camera was a great joy, because it showed trust. In my mind, there was only one thing I had to accomplish," Ms. Lieu confided.
Weighing only 47 kg, Ms. Lieu was always proactive and courageous, carrying her video camera and still cameras to all the areas assigned to her to record. During times of fierce fighting, she carefully hid her equipment in a cloth bag, ready to take up arms and fight if necessary.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Lieu in her youth.
Recalling a time working during the 1968 Tet Offensive, she was moved: “I was assigned to the Can Tho City Party Committee to film the general offensive. I stayed in the outskirts for 5 months and 7 days, working with local forces to dig trenches and attack the Cai Chanh and Chau Thanh B outposts; afterwards, I was taken to the mangrove forest to set up the cameras. That afternoon, planes were constantly circling, so I left the battlefield about 2 kilometers away. The next morning, the enemy landed troops right where I was. While at a base near an enemy outpost, the enemy swarmed in, but I wasn't afraid at all. For the first time in my life, I witnessed firsthand our soldiers fighting and destroying the enemy.”
When asked how she managed to fight and film so steadily at the age of 78, having faced the brink of death to capture such precious footage, she replied emotionally: “At that time, I felt a strange excitement, not afraid of death, not afraid of sacrifice. When someone fell, others still volunteered to go. It was that motivation and belief that gave me the courage to step onto the front lines and record those precious images and footage.”
After saying that, she gently wiped away her tears and showed us old photos of her fallen comrades. She whispered, "Film and photographs were very precious back then; no one in the unit dared to waste them. Only after we had filmed and photographed all the necessary scenes, and had a few rolls left over, would we sit down and take a group photo as a keepsake, so that if anyone passed away, we would still have pictures to send to their families."
...Towards the prestigious award
The Phan Ngoc Hien Literature and Arts Award, which Ms. Nguyen Thuy Lieu was honored to receive, is the result of a long and persistent period of hard work. The award-winning work is a true story about the simple, resilient, and compassionate people of Ca Mau.
Upon receiving the award, she thought of her family, colleagues, and the people who had accompanied her on every film shoot: "I am very happy to receive the attention of the Ministry of Culture and Arts. Receiving the award is truly a great joy and honor, but the most precious thing is being able to return to memories and relive a bygone era."
Comrade Pham Van Thieu, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council of Ca Mau, presented the Phan Ngoc Hien Literature and Arts Award to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Lieu.
As the first female cinematographer from Ca Mau to win the Phan Ngoc Hien Arts and Culture Award, Ms. Lieu doesn't consider herself a pioneer. She only hopes her story can inspire and motivate the younger generation, especially young women, to pursue their creative passions. "Every time I see young people holding cameras, I feel so much compassion. I hope society will have more talented photographers to capture valuable images and create truly wonderful works," she said with a gentle smile.
In the flow of life today, the memories preserved through the lens of that female camerawoman from years ago still quietly shine as an enduring message about love for her profession and love for her country and homeland.
Lam Khanh - Hoang Vu
Source: https://baocamau.vn/tay-sung-tay-may-ghi-ky-uc-mot-thoi-a125154.html
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