Dr. Tran Phuong Lan - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Arts of the Central Propaganda Department - presented the introduction to the workshop, stating that the workshop needs to summarize and comprehensively evaluate the achievements of cinema in the past 50 years, propose solutions to overcome difficulties so that Vietnamese cinema is not only an art but also an economic sector. And many other issues such as building more legal documents to effectively implement the Cinema Law, mobilizing social resources, training human resources, building the cinema industry... and proposing useful solutions to develop cinema in the coming time - all need to be discussed by delegates.
Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Ngoc Thanh - former Principal of the University of Theatre and Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City: 50 years of Vietnamese feature films can be divided into 4 periods. From 1975 to 1986 was post-war and subsidized cinema, the milestone was the 6th National Party Congress in December 1986 with the policy of comprehensive innovation, untying artists. From 1986 to 2002 was the cinema of innovation and the market. From 2002 to 2020 was the period of many film genres. From 2020 to now is the development of the number of films with many creative methods, in which the 18 feature films competing for the Golden Kite this year are a miniature creative picture of Vietnamese cinema.
In which, the period 1975-1986 created a leap of 220 feature films, many creative methods were inherited, transformed and promoted. Many typical films such as "Retired General" by the late director Nguyen Khac Loi, "Girl on the River" - Dang Nhat Minh, "Wandering Circus" - director Viet Linh. In 1986-2002, there was "Sand Life" by director Thanh Van, "Guava Season" by director Dang Nhat Minh, "Sky Net" - Phi Tien Son, "Me Thao Thoi Vang Bong" - Viet Linh, and later "Dancing Girl" by Le Hoang...
He also pointed out: a notable trend of Vietnamese cinema is the adaptation of famous literary works into films. The films of overseas Vietnamese directors have combined Hollywood filmmaking methods. The independent film genre - the appearance contributes to the mainstream with 3 characteristics of Vietnamese cinema: fighting spirit, socialist realism composition method and national character.
According to him, the issue of building the central character of feature films has had a welcome change, with many working-class characters such as in the films "Ba gia di bui", "Lam gia voi ma", "Hai muoi"... Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Ngoc Thanh raised some suggestions such as the need to express national identity in feature films. Harmonizing the mainstream (epic, struggle, poetic cinema), focusing on the core values of Vietnamese films. Enhancing the ideological level in reflecting reality such as the films of director, People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh... Changing creative thinking. Progress in content, with profound social significance. Reinvesting in feature films.
Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Hiep - Council for the appraisal and classification of feature films and films combining many types of genres for the 2023-2025 term - raised some thoughts on Vietnamese documentary films (TL films) and scientific films (KH films) in the past 50 years. He raised 3 questions: Are TL films and KH films related to current events, and if so, how are they related, and solutions for development in the coming time. TL films and KH films subsidized and ordered by the State have always accompanied the Party and the people, touching on all major issues of the country.
Resolution 23-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2008 of the Politburo "on continuing to build and develop literature and art in the new era", encourages different creative methods. Thanks to that, the documentary filmmaking style has become more open, more innovative like Varan's style..., viewers enjoy better. And especially, the attitude of documentary filmmakers has changed, not playing the role of propagandists, enlighteners but companions, dialogues with viewers... However, we still have few talents, breakthrough works. Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Hiep also stated: TL films, scientific films need output, so that the films have many viewers. But do not expect TL films, scientific films to be profitable. Films without viewers will not encourage the author.
Screenwriter Pham Thanh Ha proposed a number of solutions to promote the development of animated films such as increasing the number of animated films. Encouraging private filmmakers to invest in making high-quality animated films and diversifying products. Improving the quality of films, the animation industry needs a long-term strategy. Expanding the topics reflected, enriching film stories. Expanding the need for young creative forces. Diversifying the forms of approach, linking with international distributors.
Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thu Ha - Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema - mentioned a number of films, imprints in some stages and stages of Vietnamese cinema. She also pointed out the impact of the Cinema Law on Vietnamese cinema, such as the new concept of what a film is, which is also very noteworthy. Training human resources, building studios, promoting the digitization of Vietnamese cinema data warehouses... are issues and expectations of the industry that need attention.
