“Journey of Light” Week will spread Vietnamese cinema in Paris

A large number of Vietnamese and international journalists attended the press conference in France. (Photo: MINH DUY)

With the theme “Vietnamese Cinema - Journey of Light”, the Vietnamese Cinema Week in Paris is considered a strategic initiative and an important cultural diplomacy activity to promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam as dynamic and humane to the French and international public.

With the resilient efforts and aspirations of Vietnamese cinema for deep integration after half a century of development, right from the program announcement, the Vietnamese Cinema Week in Paris not only attracted the attention of a large number of Vietnamese people in France, but also foreign friends who love the country, culture and big screen of Vietnam.

From left to right: Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Khuong, Chairman of AVSE Global, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang and journalist Nguyen My Linh chaired the press conference in Paris (France).

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang emphasized that cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange are top priorities within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France.

According to the Ambassador, cinema is one of the most effective tools to strengthen the exchange relationship between the two countries, because images and stories are the key to mutual understanding. Therefore, each screening will be a window to look at every moment of life in Vietnam told through the language of cinema, a journey full of profound experiences about Vietnamese culture and history.

The event of Vietnam Cinema Week in Paris becomes even more meaningful taking place in a year with many important events of the country, celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2, the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and reunification of the country, as well as the 130th anniversary of the birth of world cinema.

Many of the films will be screened in collaboration with French partners, such as the French National Cinema Centre, or as co-productions with French companies, demonstrating the effective bilateral cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The upcoming series of films is diverse in theme, rich in narrative form and diverse in style. Through 17 films ranging from classical to contemporary, audiences can choose their favorite films with rich topics such as the war period to protect the country, the period of peace restoration, social psychology or the lifestyle of young people.

Furthermore, the legendary Le Grand Rex cinema, which is also the largest auditorium in Europe, promises to bring unforgettable cinematic experiences to the public during this cultural exchange event week.

Sharing with Nhan Dan Newspaper reporters, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Khuong, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts Global (AVSE Global) affirmed: "Journey of Light" is not just a simple cultural activity, but a bridge connecting emotions, knowledge and national pride.

The films will most clearly show a modern, dynamic, humane and inspiring Vietnam, where the past and present intertwine to build a prosperous and sustainable future. Therefore, through the country's cinema, Vietnam wishes to integrate internationally not only in the film industry but also to strengthen cooperation in economic, social and technological aspects.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Khuong also expressed his hope that this project will spread its spirit to other cultural and artistic fields such as theater, cuisine, fashion and painting.

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan chaired the press conference in Hanoi (Vietnam).

Present at the online press conference from Hanoi, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Film Promotion and Development Association (VFDA), said that the theme of the week "Journey of Light" has profound and multi-layered meaning.

This is the journey of Vietnamese cinema from the time of war to defend the Fatherland, through the post-war period of rebuilding the homeland, the renovation process, to the modern period of Vietnam "reaching out to the sea", clearly showing the indomitable will, the desire for peace, as well as the humane thoughts and wishes of the Vietnamese people in everyday life expressed in each frame.

From left to right: Producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc (Vice President of VFDA), Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan (President of VFDA) and Ms. Ly Phuong Dung (Vice President of VFDA) at the press conference in Hanoi.

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan said that the 17 works span 50 years of Vietnamese cinema creation from 1975 to 2025. Many of them have won awards at prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Busan and Nantes.

Outstanding film titles have become familiar to many generations of Vietnamese audiences such as “The Wild Fields”, “When Will October Come”, “Retired Generals”, “Bi, Don’t Be Afraid!”, “Coolies Never Cry” and “Glorious Ashes”.

Vietnamese cinema is of interest to French journalists.

In particular, the two films chosen for the opening and closing ceremonies are considered the latest "blockbusters" of Vietnamese cinema and have just been released recently, including "Red Rain" and "Fight to the Death in the Sky".

According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, the Vietnam Cinema Week in Paris is not only an introduction program, but also an opportunity for the Vietnamese film industry to seek new connections and cooperation, in order to create typical films such as "Dien Bien Phu", "Dong Duong", "Nguoi Tinh"...

French director Flavien Dupont (pictured above) said Vietnamese cinema is very interesting with many ways of conveying world views and emotions that are different from his experiences working with Korean or Chinese cinema.

Director Flavien Dupont also asserted that the power of cinema lies in its ability to introduce a culture or a point of view to those unfamiliar with it through images, sounds and emotions.

Vietnam Cinema Week in Paris promises to be a full, rich and multi-dimensional journey of discovery about the country, people and art of Vietnamese cinema.

This event also clearly demonstrates the spirit of strengthening cultural ties and strategic partnership between the two countries. The success of the Vietnam Cinema Week in Paris can open new prospects for Vietnamese cinema on its journey to other countries in Europe and around the world.

TRIUMPH - MINH DUY - TUYET LOAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tuan-le-hanh-trinh-anh-sang-se-lan-toa-dien-anh-viet-nam-tai-paris-post923223.html