The phrase "sun in the darkness"

(VHQN) - "There are melodies that are not just stories of sound and rhythm, but a source of emotion from the heart – like an incense stick offered to our ancestors," composer Hua Kim Tuyen said about "The Sun in the Darkness" – the theme song of the film "Underground Tunnels" – a special epic dedicated to the Fatherland on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country.

A scene from the film "The Tunnel". Photo provided by the film crew.

When young musicians tell historical stories through music.

What circumstances led to Hua Kim Tuyen – a 9X generation musician famous for his hit love songs, of Chinese descent, born and raised in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City – being chosen to write the theme song for a revolutionary film?

For those familiar with contemporary pop music or who have hummed the gentle, heartfelt melodies of "If One Day I Fly to the Sky," "One Day I Forget Everything," "Twenty-Two," etc., Tuyen's decision to write the soundtrack for "The Tunnel" might seem like a bold and drastic change of pace. Tuyen herself was once... quite perplexed by it.

“When the team invited me, I asked: Why not choose a remix of an existing revolutionary song – one that is already heroic enough, familiar enough?” Tuyen recounted. The answer surprised Tuyen: “Because we need a young person to tell history from the perspective of the younger generation.”

Thus, "The Sun in the Darkness" was born after 13 days of tireless work. It is both gentle like a lullaby and tragic like the heartfelt cries echoing from the Cu Chi tunnels. In composing the soundtrack for "The Tunnels," Tuyen had no intention of "making a revolution in music." Every musical element in "The Sun in the Darkness" came naturally, from the underlying emotions of an artist and the intuition of a Vietnamese citizen born in peace .

Hua Kim Tuyen. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

The blend in music

The song opens with the deep, somber voice of Meritorious Artist Cao Minh – like a seasoned soldier suppressing his pain. In the middle, Lamoon (Nguyen Le Diem Hang) continues – a young artist from Tam Ky, her voice imbued with the colors of Southern Vietnamese folk music. Finally, the choral part harmonizes, like the heartfelt voice of an entire generation of nameless, ageless youth who wrote immortal chapters in the heart of this land.

"There's no artistic intention or strategy involved here. I just want the listener to find it... pleasing to the ear, easy to connect with, and memorable," Tuyen said.

Tuyen's charm—as a young artist making modern music—lies in this. She doesn't force herself to create solemn anthems, nor does she cram in symbols, yet somehow, she manages to move listeners to tears.

“I was born in 1995, and actually, there are still gaps between my generation and the glorious history of our nation. I didn't directly live through those days, but I can understand and feel it in my own way – through self-study, gratitude, and appreciation. My music doesn't seek to recreate history, but rather serves as a bridge between today's generation and the past of our ancestors…” – Tuyen honestly stated.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this complete "not belonging" that Tuyen possesses an independent and fresh perspective. He doesn't confine himself to old motifs. He doesn't repeat familiar storytelling techniques. Yet, his work remains profound, authentic, and moving.

A viewer named Ruby Lam commented on YouTube: “The moment we left the theater, with the music playing in the background, we looked up at the peaceful sky after 50 years of reunification. This is the real ending. We are living and continuing the most beautiful part that they left unfinished.”

"As long as the music continues to play, the guns will still be held..."

When asked if any historical events during his research and writing process had particularly troubled or haunted him, Tuyen shook his head: "I've been reading about history for a long time, so my mindset is quite stable. But there are many that have moved me deeply."

One of the most memorable conversations was with director Bui Thac Chuyen, who told Tuyen about the Cu Chi guerrillas of the past. They were mostly young volunteers with no combat experience. Their strongest weapons were their youth and patriotism.

“I thought about them, about the sacrifices made when they were only eighteen or twenty years old. So I wrote the song as a token of gratitude.” The title of the song – “Sun in the Darkness” – came to Tuyen very naturally. It came like a quiet light flashing in his thoughts. And he simply embraced it.

"The Sun in the Darkness" is more than just a soundtrack. It's a memorial. It's a way for a young person to bow before history and, from there, continue writing – in their own way.

Just like Quang Nam – a land that has both progressed and declined, a land that has suffered many losses – yet always knows how to rise again with its own unique melody. And who knows, perhaps one day, the opportunity to compose a piece of music specifically for Quang Nam will come to young musicians like Tuyen. Natural and profound – like the sun in the darkness.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/tu-mat-troi-trong-bong-toi-3153995.html