He hopes that the project will contribute to spreading love for history, arousing national pride and creating more valuable products for the Vietnamese cultural industry.
The Tran Dynasty is a period that converges almost all the most typical values of Vietnamese history
- V-Film is a "brand new" name and has never had a product. What made Professor accept to accompany V-Film right from the first project? Is this decision risky, sir?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: Certainly not! The first thing is that this project touches on a long-held aspiration of mine. Vietnamese history is extremely good, there are many heroic songs but also many tricky and thrilling details. Therefore, I believe that if it is brought to the screen, it will be extremely attractive!
The nation's history has many heroic periods, but the Tran Dynasty was a particularly materially rich period. Every time I mention the Tran Dynasty, I always have a very strong emotion. Moreover, in the National History, I am the editor-in-chief of the section about the Tran Dynasty, so this is also a field that I have a lot of understanding and attachment to.
When working with V-Film, I clearly feel their determination and more broadly Vingroup's. When most filmmakers only prioritize commercial and entertainment products, Vingroup's investment in resources for historical films to honor and promote national history and culture is very commendable and needs to be supported.
- Historical films are a particularly niche genre. In your opinion, is the topic about the Tran Dynasty really attractive enough to attract viewers?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: Throughout history, the Tran Dynasty was a period that converged almost all the most typical values of Vietnamese history, which can be said to be thousands of years reduced to a few centuries. No nation has defeated the Mongol-Yuan army three times like Vietnam under the Tran Dynasty, and won even during the peak period of the enemy's army.
But that may not be enough to make the film attractive. The Tran Dynasty not only had victories, this was also a period that can be said to be more "Vietnam" than any other dynasty. They built a centralized government that was close to the people, that is, a very strong government and loved the people strangely.
Before passing away, Tran Hung Dao, when asked about the plan to defend the country, emphasized that defeating the enemy was thanks to the consensus of superiors and subordinates, brotherly harmony, and the whole country contributing efforts, "preservating the people's strength is the best policy to defend the country". Those are "very Vietnamese" details.
Besides, the Tran Dynasty also had many difficult, complex and dramatic stories, creating a very suitable material for cinema. Therefore, I think that V-Film's choice of the Tran Dynasty is a very subtle and visionary choice.
Encouraging efforts in honoring and spreading national history and culture
- In addition to the content, according to Professor, what is the decisive factor for a historical film to reach the Vietnamese and world audiences?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: Historical films are not documentaries. They need plot, logic and characters with emotional depth. Screenwriters and directors have the full right to create, can fictionalize more details or dialogues, as long as they do not go against basic historical perceptions.
In addition to the script, there is also a need for large investment to recreate the setting, requiring good directors, good actors, music, lighting and many other factors. In short, making a good film must have heart, vision, money and talent.
- With your role as a historical advisor, what do you expect to contribute to the producer?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: Usually, filmmakers seek out historical advisors to ensure the accuracy of characters, events, settings, costumes or customs.
But in my opinion, the role of advisor should not stop there. If a historical story is transformed into a literary work or a film script, there is a great need for mutual support between a person who understands history and a scriptwriter.
Therefore, a good mentor not only helps the film avoid errors, but also must inspire history, and contribute to creating internal logic for the story. The success of the film will be a very effective way to bring history closer to the public.
- What is the significance of Vingroup's long-term investment in films honoring history and culture in the context that Vietnam is promoting the development of the cultural industry today, sir?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: After Resolution 80 on building the cultural industry, culture is considered a resource, resource and the center of all policies.
In my opinion, to create unique cultural products, you must have vision, professional talent and investment resources. Therefore, the entry of a private corporation with great potential and long-term vision like Vingroup is very welcome and encouraging. This will be a strong boost for the development of Vietnam's cultural industry in the new era.
Moreover, Vingroup also has a very unique "DNA", often choosing difficult paths but creating a lot of value for society. Those are often things that not many people have done or have not been successful in. And when Vingroup has started doing it, it is always very drastic and goes to the end, not done half-heartedly. Therefore, when V-Film of Vingroup stood out to make a film about Vietnamese history, specifically the Tran Dynasty, I have high expectations for the success of the project.
- What impact do you expect historical films like this to have on young people?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: There are many ways to spread national history and culture, but cinema is one of the most accessible forms to the public because it creates direct emotions.
A treasure of heroic and valuable history like Vietnam's, if told in good films, will surely help young people feel history more closely, more naturally and thereby nurture love for the roots of the nation.
- Thank you!
