Film screening and discussion "Cinema about war: When rice ripens on stormy fields"

This activity is to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the National Reunification Day on April 30 and to pay tribute to those who contributed to that sacred milestone of the Nation. The event is also called “Dang Nhat Minh Film Day” because the two films shown are both by this director. People's Artist, Director Dang Nhat Minh is one of the most prominent filmmakers in the Vietnamese cinema industry. Some typical films of director Dang Nhat Minh include:When will October come, Missing the countryside, Girl on the river, Guava season, May, faces...Thanks to his valuable contributions to world and Vietnamese cinema, on the evening of March 31, 2022 at the French Embassy, ​​director Dang Nhat Minh was honored to receive the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. This event, therefore, is also a congratulation and gratitude from the Cinema Club for the director's glorious career.

On the morning of April 27, 2022, within the framework of the film screeningMay, the facesand the discussion "Cinema about war: When rice ripens on the stormy fields", speakers and guests discussed the personal imprints of author Dang Nhat Minh shown in 2 films.May, the facesandWhen until October?, as well as the special features of Vietnamese art on the subject of war. Opening the discussion, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Xuan Thach - Head of the Faculty of Literature (Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities) - said: "In the general tone of the times, director Dang Nhat Minh's films still have their own voice, their own ideas about the very humane things of this nation."

Sharing at the discussion, director Dang Nhat Minh expressed his emotion when the filmMay, the facesHis films still leave a lasting impression on viewers. According to the director, one of the things that makes the film's voice unique is its humanity: "The filmMay, the facesnot to mention hatred. That perspective has followed me throughout my journey of making films. For me, humanity is the most important element for a work of art.”

Regarding the awareness and responsibility of filmmaking, Director Dang Nhat Minh believes that every filmmaker needs to clearly define his goals right from the beginning of his career. In fact, throughout his creative journey, Director Dang Nhat Minh has always been persistent with the true art of cinema and that is what has created his own style as well as his successes. In addition, the director also advised that everyone needs to cultivate their cultural and literary capital: "Literature is the foundation of the art of cinema. The treasure of literature has helped me a lot in my filmmaking career."

Following the comments of director Dang Nhat Minh, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Hung shared from the perspective of a veteran and a researcher of literature and art. WithMay, the faces, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Hung found sympathy from the way director Dang Nhat Minh looked at the war: "This is not a film about the defeat of the enemy but the end of the war and the hope that began from May onwards." In particular, discussing the filmWhen until October?From an aesthetic perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thanh Hung said: “The film has no beauty, only nobility. And the nobility here is the beauty that is pushed, broken and suppressed. It is the sacrifice that creates the noble value of human beings.”

About the movieMay, the faces, Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Hoang - Deputy Head of the Faculty of Literature - shared that she was very impressed with the depth of humanity and images in the film. "This is the first film to look at all soldiers, regardless of faction, from a human perspective". With the filmWhen until October?, Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Hoang believes that the work raises issues of both individuals and nations, along with the concern of "how we will operate, develop, and how we will move towards the happiness of each home, through the story of women with the community, with the past, with history and with the present".

Approaching the film from the perspective of film language, Dr. Hoang Cam Giang - Head of the Department of Art Studies - said that the elements of film language such as film landscape, film editing, reproduction, and material selection are all very special: “… Director Dang Nhat Minh has blended romantic epic cinema and 'city symphony' cinema - a type of cinema that praises speed and civilization. Thanks to that, Saigon in the film has its own face, history, and destiny.”

On the afternoon of April 27, 2022, at the movie screeningWhen until October?, GVC. Tran Hinh and Dr. Hoang Cam Giang continued to share about this work by director Dang Nhat Minh. According to Mr. Tran Hinh, director Dang Nhat Minh never radicalizes people. "Even if the character is bad, but they know how to reform, that is also good." According to Dr. Hoang Cam Giang, the film reminds the audience that the meaning of life is in the awareness that you exist. "The film does not only talk about happiness as the final destination of the search, but also the value of the journey to find happiness and the meaning of "planting" in the field of people."