“History of European Cinema” – a valuable textbook for lecturers, students, practitioners, and researchers

The seminar was attended by representatives of the Board of Directors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, leaders of the Faculty of Literature, many researchers, experts, lecturers, students teaching and studying literature, art, and cinema at VNU-USSH and many universities in Hanoi.

In his opening speech at the seminar, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh, Vice Principal, congratulated Associate Professor Dr. Pham Gia Lam on successfully publishing his latest work on the history of cinema. “During many years working at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, as a researcher and pedagogist, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam has had very valuable monographs on modern approaches to literary research, Russian literature. With a passion for scientific research, he devoted himself to, pursued and succeeded in a new field: research on the history of cinema. The birth of the new major of Cinema and Popular Arts in 2024, along with the publication of new and updated textbooks and teaching materials, has once again affirmed the brand and position of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities as a pioneer in research, creation and dissemination of cutting-edge scientific knowledge in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities. The book will be a valuable source of teaching and learning materials for lecturers, students and trainees of the University, especially for the first students of the major of Cinema and Popular Arts” – Vice Principal Lai Quoc Khanh affirmed.  
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Gia Lam expressed his emotion at the affection and concern of the School's Board of Directors, the Faculty of Literature, especially the large number of scientists, researchers, lecturers, students who are researching, teaching, and studying in the fields of literature, cinema, and art who came to attend the discussion and discuss academic issues related to the field of cinema.
Regarding the idea of ​​compiling the book, author Pham Gia Lam shared: the history of European cinema has gone through more than 100 years of development and achieved many achievements, but until now there has not been a most comprehensive study on European cinema to see its value and contribution to the development of world cinema. Cinema is an important part of European culture, so it is also necessary to consider it in a broader context to see the mutual influence between cinema and other art forms such as literature, painting, music, ... in certain historical periods.
“Through this textbook, I want to convey to students not only knowledge - the result of my own passionate research, but more importantly, I want to suggest new directions so that they can continue to research on their own. I really appreciate the saying of a scholar: Education is not about filling a bucket but lighting a fire. I will be very happy and proud when this textbook, together with the teaching of the teachers of the Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Literature, will light the fire of passion for learning and acquiring the pinnacle of knowledge in the field of cinema and art that you have chosen to pursue - a new, interesting field that still contains many things to be discovered" - Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam expressed.

“History of European Cinema” is a comprehensive and updated textbook on the stages of development, value and role of European cinema.

In a very friendly and cozy atmosphere, the delegates attending the Seminar “European Cinema from the University” expressed their admiration and warm congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Gia Lam on his latest research results.
In addition, researchers and lecturers who are teaching in the fields of literature, art and cinema also shared a lot of updated information, providing an overview of the history of European cinema, affirming the value and contribution of this cinema as an important part in the process of studying world cinema. During more than 100 years of cinema history, European cinema compared to other regions in the world is the most important and oldest cinema. Unlike American cinema, European cinema, although not as popular, is highly appreciated for its academic nature. The discussion will open up important steps for the research and teaching of cinema in Vietnam in the context of contemporary globalization.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Xuan Thach, Head of the Faculty of Literature, congratulated author Pham Gia Lam and affirmed: “The value of the book is first of all that it fulfills the role of a textbook providing a structural view, a way to periodize the history of European cinema based on the emergence of new schools of cinema that have made important contributions to the development of world cinema history. That periodization will create the most comprehensive overview, without missing any cinema of any European country. The book “History of European Cinema” also has a unique combination of two approaches: historical approach (examining the process of cinema in each stage) and genre approach (studying cinema through trends, typical creations), to see the appearance of European cinema not only as the creations of directors, but also as the basic trends of cinema throughout its history of more than a century of existence.
 

Head of the Faculty of Literature Pham Xuan Thach emphasized: Not only providing learners with valuable knowledge, after each chapter, the author also invites readers to research and search for themselves to continue to supplement new knowledge.

Literature researcher Tran Hinh commented (Faculty of Literature, VNU-USSH): The book is a systematic, interdisciplinary research work, presenting new theories in the study of European cinema history, contributing to affirming its role and value in the history of world cinema development.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thanh Hung (Faculty of Literature, VNU-USSH): The book not only lists timelines but also, through in-depth analysis of some classic works, provides a new perspective on the value of European cinema in contrast to Hollywood cinema.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Faculty of Literature, VNU-USSH) shared that the book is like a guide for readers to find the position of different cinemas in the general flow of European cinema history. At the same time, she also shared more about Soviet cinema during the "thaw" period mentioned in the book.

Associate Professor, Dr. Phung Ngoc Kien expressed: The book by author Pham Gia Lam has chosen to analyze classic authors, which are valuable as turning points of European and world cinema. Reading the book and directly watching the classic film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" in the cinema space right on the school campus is a very interesting experience not only for students and trainees but also for lecturers, bringing both artistic emotions and stimulating the desire to read, watch and create new knowledge.

MSc. Hoang Da Vu (Deputy Director of the Institute of Theatre and Cinema, University of Theatre and Cinema): This is a very rare document, because up to now, students and lecturers in universities that teach about cinema have mainly used documents translated from foreign authors. The book by Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam provides a closer approach, detailed analysis of the development stages of European cinema through classic works, and will certainly be a useful textbook and reference document not only for students and trainees of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities but also many other universities in Vietnam.

 

MSc. Hoang Da Vu presented flowers to congratulate Mr. Pham Gia Lam - author of the book

Closing the seminar “European Cinema from the University” and launching the book “History of European Cinema” by author Pham Gia Lam, on behalf of the organizer, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Cam Giang (Head of the Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Literature) emphasized: The seminar has opened up many important issues surrounding European cinema and the role of the field of research and teaching cinema in the academic environment. This is a valuable scientific activity, an opportunity to connect researchers, experts with students, the young generation who are passionate about exploring knowledge in the field of cinema and popular arts. The official publication of the book “History of European Cinema” is not only the joy of Associate Professor Dr. Pham Gia Lam but also a common achievement of the Department and the industry. The book will be a valuable scholarly document, providing an interdisciplinary approach, from theory to practice, and clarifying the unique European cinematic movements, tendencies and styles.
The Head of the Department of Art Studies also expressed his deep gratitude to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam for his great contributions in building the foundation for the Department of Art Studies. It is thanks to his guidance and inspiration that many generations of lecturers and students have had the opportunity to develop and achieve success in the fields of cinema and art. Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Cam Giang also expressed his pride and belief in the birth of the textbook compiled by Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam, along with the contributions of the team of lecturers and scientists, the Department of Art Studies, as well as the new field of Cinema and Popular Arts at VNU-USSH will certainly develop strongly in the future.

 

Inspiring artistic emotions and creative passion for students majoring in Cinema and popular arts

On the occasion of the book launch, the Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Literature organized a screening of the film “The Passion of Joan of Arc (French: La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc)”. This is a French silent film, first released in 1928, inspired by the true story of a historical figure Jeanne d'Arc. She is considered a heroine of France, when she was only 17 years old, she joined the army to liberate Orléans, became an important military and spiritual leader for French soldiers, and contributed greatly to the victory of the French army in the Hundred Years' War. But then Jeanne d'Arc was captured and imprisoned by the British army and the Religious Inquisition in England sentenced her to be burned at the stake.
After her death, Joan of Arc became a legendary figure for the next four centuries. Nearly 500 years later, the Vatican finally overturned her heresy conviction. Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920 and later adopted as the symbol of the French Republic, "Mother of the Fatherland."
The film La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (The Passion of Jeanne d'Arc) depicts the trial and execution of Jeanne d'Arc. Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer and starring Renée Jeanne Falconetti, the film is considered a milestone in the history of European cinema. Falconetti's performance is also considered one of the best performances in the history of world cinema.

The premiere of a classic work of world cinema right at the space of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is a very meaningful activity, bringing to VNU-USSH students, especially the first students of the Cinema and Popular Arts major, a very vivid and intuitive understanding of the silent film genre from the early decades of the 20th century, while creating deep artistic emotions when they directly enjoy one of the classic works of European cinema.

The extreme pain of Jeanne d'Arc when she was convicted of heresy by the Inquisition and sentenced to death at the stake

Some photos at the seminar and book launch of "History of European Cinema" by Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam organized by the Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Literature, VNU-USSH