The Department of Cinema has just sent a document to film production, distribution and dissemination units, requesting to strengthen social responsibility, and at the same time consider carefully when exploiting violent, horror, and superstitious content in film works.
According to Director of the Cinema Department Dang Tran Cuong, in recent years Vietnamese cinema has recorded positive development in terms of both the number of films, production quality and market size. Many works have achieved impressive revenue, attracting a large audience and contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam.
The Department also highly appreciates the efforts of units operating in the film industry, considering this an important factor promoting the overall development of the industry.
However, the Department of Cinema believes that the market is showing a strong increase in horror films.
Mr. Dang Tran Cuong commented: "Through monitoring the production, distribution and dissemination of films recently, the Department of Cinema has seen a significant increase in horror genre works.
Accordingly, some works are emphasizing violent, bloody details or exploiting superstitious, sensational elements to attract viewers, while not investing commensurately in the quality of art and cinematic language.
Mr. Cuong said: "Some works focus too much on elements of violence, blood or superstitious, sensational elements, while not really investing commensurately in the quality of art, cinematic language and not expressing the humanistic values and social messages to be conveyed".
In addition, many foreign horror films when imported into Vietnam must have their content revised to comply with legal regulations. Some cases do not meet the conditions for dissemination, affecting the business operations of the distribution enterprise.
Based on the guidelines and orientations for cultural development of the Party and the State, the Cinema Department proposes that units in the industry enhance their responsibility in orienting aesthetics, contributing to building a healthy spiritual life for the public, especially teenagers and vulnerable audience groups.
The Department of Cinema encourages filmmakers to diversify topics, develop works with high ideological, artistic and humanistic values; truthfully reflect social life, spread positive stories about patriotism, solidarity, community responsibility and aspiration to contribute.
In addition, works promoting Vietnamese history, culture, nature and people are also encouraged to contribute to enhancing the soft power of national culture, promoting international exchanges and cooperation.
For both domestic and imported films, the Department of Cinema requests units to carefully consider when selecting, exploiting and expressing topics with elements of violence, horror, superstition or content that may negatively impact the awareness and behavior of viewers, ensuring compliance with fine customs and traditions and Vietnamese law regulations.
Concluding the document, the Department of Cinema expressed its wish that units continue to accompany and build Vietnamese cinema to develop in a modern direction, diverse in genres but still rich in national cultural identity, contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnamese cinema in the international arena.
