Material sources for film projects
In recent years, Vietnamese cinema has recorded historical films, filmed in many locations and historical sites, with "huge" revenue. Examples include the film "Địa đạo" by director Bui Thac Chuyen with a revenue of over 170 billion VND, and the film "Mưa đỏ" by director Dang Thai Huyen with a revenue of over 700 billion VND.
At the locations of these 2 films such as: Cu Chi Tunnels, Quang Tri Citadel... the number of visitors has skyrocketed, creating a strong historical promotion effect, with great attraction for audiences, especially young people.
However, experts believe that films exploit historical stories, can promote tourism but must also pay attention to preserving and protecting heritage.
Sharing with Lao Dong reporters, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan - Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Cinema Development - said that many localities clearly identify the value of cinema in promoting tourism. Cinematic works introduce very realistic and vivid landscapes and heritage of the locality, the frames in the movie are more convincing than ordinary speeches.
Films have a very strong spread, having a direct effect on viewers. Over the past time, many films have been shot in localities such as: Phu Yen (now Dak Lak), Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City... However, I think that "film tourismization" should not be allowed. A film must first be a film work, not just promoting tourism and heritage..." - Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan said.
On the local side, Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - said that the locality identifies the transformation of heritage and tourism values into resources to serve economic growth and cultural industry development, including cinema.
According to Mr. Cuong, heritage space, landscapes and historical and legendary stories can become a source of material for film projects. Ninh Binh always accompanies businesses and film crews through supporting existing locations, locations, human resources and ecosystems, aiming to achieve the goal of having 1 film filmed locally released to audiences each year.
Hanoi is also expanding from considering heritage simply as a context to considering it as a creative resource, promoting tourism. According to Ms. Bui Thi Huong Thuy - Head of the Department of Arts and Culture Industry, Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with a rich heritage treasure and creative resources, the Capital has many conditions to develop cinema into a spearhead industry of the cultural industry.
Besides, cinematic material can become a starting point for other industries. The city is building a film and cultural industry center, developing a creative and digital ecosystem, connecting and sharing heritage data... creating conditions for filmmakers to easily access, without distorting the original value" - Ms. Huong Thuy said.
Heritage is a resource for creating new values
Speaking about connecting heritage with cinematic works, Dr. Le Xuan Kieu - Director of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam - said that this place is a tourist destination, a special relic of the State, and regularly receives documents from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism introducing film crews (especially international crews).
Mr. Kieu affirmed that protecting the value and solemnity of relics is still the top principle, but does not create absolute barriers to creativity.
Dr. Le Xuan Kieu also emphasized that filming can be done at the Temple of Literature, the two sides will discuss carefully and specifically each option, and requests that pose a serious risk to the relic will not be accepted.
According to Dr. Tran Hoai - Head of Heritage Studies Department, Faculty of Cultural Heritage Industry, Interdisciplinary School of Science and Arts (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), making films about heritage, at heritage is also a process of researching history, culture - tourism with different levels.
Therefore, the companionship between filmmakers, researchers and the community is necessary. With what is shown on screen, audiences not only recognize and evaluate the artistic aspect but also care about whether the research and expression are suitable for the culture at that relic site or not.
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, a film industry that wants to have valuable and internationally competitive works must start from scripts, writers, directors, producers and a well-trained professional team with new thinking and ability to work in an international environment.
Heritage is not only an object that needs to be preserved but also a resource for creating new values. However, exploiting heritage and tourism through cinema requires understanding, respect for authenticity and responsibility for history and culture.
According to experts, creativity is not in contrast to preservation; responsible creativity can help heritage be deeply understood and have a new life in contemporary society.
