Immediately after episode 1 aired, the prime-time movie "Green Highlands" quickly scored points with audiences thanks to the fast, intense film flow and the suggestion of dramatic and tense special cases.
However, to get those realistic and dramatic footage, the production crew had to go through a harsh filming journey in the Central Highlands.
Sharing with Lao Dong reporters about the filming process, director - Meritorious Artist Mai Hien revealed the challenges that the crew had to face.
To truthfully portray the image of the people's police soldier, the film crew chose to film in many locations throughout the Central Highlands region, in which Gia Lai province is a key area.
Here, the erratic weather of the highlands and health pressure become a big problem for the whole team.
Director Mai Hien recounted a memory of weeks when he only ate one meal a day because he was too tired. The peak heat at 1 pm on the mountain peak made swallowing rice grains also a challenge for artists.
In particular, due to the nature of the isolated setting, the crew's logistics work encountered many difficulties. Director Mai Hien revealed that on some days, the crew's lunch boxes had to be transported more than 42 kilometers from the center to reach the filming location.
When the rice reached the crew, the long journey and the highland sun and wind exhausted the strength of many people, but everyone tried to stick to it to complete the progress.
Accompanying the crew in the series of days of sticking to the field, actor Ha Viet Dung shared the specific difficulties that require the whole crew to unite to overcome.
In Gia Lai, the biggest challenge for the actors is the geographical distance and difficult terrain.
Many days the delegation stayed in Chu Prong district, but the return point was 40-50 km away. When advancing deep into the villages, many areas completely lost phone signal, and roads were difficult to travel" - Actor Ha Viet Dung said.
However, facing the isolation of information and difficult movement, the actor affirmed that the spirit of the film crew has never declined.
In return for those hardships is the warm and warm welcome and support from the villagers here.
Besides, the majestic natural scenery of the Central Highlands is a priceless spiritual medicine, helping artists relieve fatigue to focus on completing their roles in the best way.
Instead of complaining, director Mai Hien affirmed that the harsh experiences at the scene helped the crew deeply understand the silent sacrifice of the village security forces. That empathy was fully conveyed into each frame.
Director Mai Hien expressed: "Only by going to reality like that do I know that the security soldiers are too hard. The film crew only operates for a few months, and the soldiers here have to live and work for years, sometimes a lifetime of dedication".
Green Highlands" promises to conquer audiences in the next episodes broadcast during prime time.
