Within the framework of the program "The Face of Vietnamese Cinema 40 Years of Doi Moi Period" at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV), "Bi, Don't Be Afraid!" by director Phan Dang Di is officially re-screened.
The movie released in 2011 once shocked many viewers because of its quiet, suggestive, non-linear and unclear narrative.
When asked about his feelings after 16 years, director Phan Dang Di said he was particularly impressed with watching many films of the same period in a systematic program at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival.
Looking back at his first filmmaking journey, Phan Dang Di called it a very "immature" journey.
The crew is mostly new people, friends from the same school, only a few veteran artists such as NSND Tran Tien and NSUT Mai Chau bring a "gentle but serious, respectful" professional attitude.
The most unforgettable memories were working with a 1st grade child actor - the character Bi, who sometimes didn't want to film, and the days of filming real rain combined with artificial rain, making the whole crew exhausted but also producing the most satisfactory scenes.
The film's international journey - from Busan, L'Atelier Cannes, supporting the Berlin Foundation to entering the Cannes International Critics Week and participating in about 60 film festivals, is an important turning point.
Phan Dang Di considers it not only an honor but also an opportunity to broaden his perspective: cinema is a vast space for dialogue.
Regarding the fact that the film was once seen as a "challenge" to the audience, Phan Dang Di said: "I don't make films to challenge anyone, but just try to be honest with my experience and emotions. When the film does not explain everything, it forces the audience to participate in the viewing process. Cinema needs to retain that ability".
According to director Phan Dang Di, today's audience's movie viewing style has changed significantly thanks to easier access to world cinema.
What was once considered "difficult" is now less unfamiliar, but in return is the trend of wanting to approach quickly, directly and less patiently with films that require thinking.
Phan Dang Di believes that Vietnamese cinema has not kept up with the world mainly because it lacks a solid ecosystem foundation to nurture long-term projects.
With "Bi, Don't Be Afraid!", after 16 years, the film is no longer an isolated phenomenon causing controversy but has become a piece in the picture of Vietnamese cinema, reminding that the true value of cinema lies in its ability to evoke reflection and continuous dialogue with society.
Bi, Don't Be Afraid!" by director Phan Dang Di will be screened in the program "The Face of Vietnamese Cinema 40 Years of Doi Moi Period" at the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF 2026).
The program gathers 17 typical works of Vietnamese cinema, spanning from the late 1980s to the 2000s, helping audiences have the opportunity to comprehensively review the development process of Vietnamese cinema in the 40-year renovation journey of the country.
