1.When the last words of the Generique table (introduced a film, presented the name of the filmmakers) of the movie "Tunnel: The sun in the dark" ran to the last row, the auditorium lights on, the audience still sat quietly.
Many young couples hold each other tightly.They turned to look at each other, shocked emotionally.
Watching the final part of the film a short documentary and documentary when Bui Thac Chuyen met historical witnesses soldiers fighting in the steel land of bronze of Cu Chi, I heard a surge of emotion when seeing some of the veterans I met 10 years ago, during an exchange at the Labor Culture Palace (HCMC).
When I got home, I listened to an interview with Bui Thac Chuyen on the show "Saturday Afternoon Coffee" and found my professional documents from 10 years ago. I carefully took the photos I took.
Among the veterans who shared historical memories with the younger generation that day (March 2015), the most prominent, most asked was the "legendary guerrilla female Cu Chi" - "The Hero of the United States" - "The Hero of Tank Kill" ... Ms. Vo Thi Mo (Seven Mo), former platoon captain of Cu Chi women's platoon - the unit was conferred the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 2018.
Historical documents about Ms. Bay Mo: In 1962, when she was only 15 years old, she participated in an exploration.
At the age of 18, she is the female ranger captain of the Cu Chi District Vice Team.
In 1967, a stamp printed with the image of female tour guide Vo Thi Mo was released; she became the inspiration for the Liberation film crew of The Cu Chi Women's Tour.
The image of female tour guide Vo Thi Mo holding a gun in a fight from the film continues to be an inspiration for the two artists Huynh Phuong Dong and Le Van Chuong to paint.
In 1989, Berkley New York Publishing House (USA) published the book "The Tunnels of Cu Chi" (roughly translated: Cu Chi Tunnels, author: Writer, journalist John Penycate - American veteran, director Tom Mangold).
The work praised the battle of righteousness and humanity of the Vietnamese people through the image of Cu Chi guerrillas. The book has a chapter praising the Seven Mo guerrilla - the one who died for 4 American soldiers. The book has been reprinted many times.
The traveling life of Bay Mo was also chosen as the model of the character in the work Sen Hong Trong Tauap by writer Tram Huong and The Legend in the Land of writer Ma Thien Dong.
And most recently, it was recreated in the play "Aspiration for Peace" (screenplay: Ngoc Truc, director: People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, Ho Chi Minh City Drama Theater performing at the 1st Ho Chi Minh City Theater Festival, November 2024).
2. I invited Ms. Tram Huong to take the bus to Cu Chi to visit Ms. Bay Mo (house 15, Ho Bo street, Phu My Hung commune), but unfortunately, she went to Hanoi to receive an award from the General Department of Politics for the memoir of the Guard Mother who is writing about the female Hero of the Armed Forces Trang Thi Lang (Ba Bi) in Tra Vinh.
When I asked Ms. Tram Huong to go back to the photos I took 10 years ago, Ms. Bay was filled with tears: "Before the campaign team, there were 45 people, 24 people were sacrificed in the war, 21 people are still there, but up to now, there are still 19 people, most of them are old, weak, sick, lying in one place; some are paid, some are not. First is Nguyen Thi Thuoc, then is Nguyen Thi Nang and her husband Nguyen Van Thon, then is Nguyen Thi Lien... These two people are still alive.
Ms. Bay recounted the story of the year 1970 when she was sent to train at the Military Command (the predecessor of the 2nd Army Officer School today), spent several months with Ms. Ba Dinh (Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh) before returning to school. "I love you so much", she said; she went to Hanoi to meet and take photos with General Vo Nguyen Giap; met and talked with the late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (from the homeland of Cu Chi)...
I asked, " since tomorrow, Mrs. Bay went to see the Geography film, did you see it or not?". She smiled gently, pointing to the wall hanging photos of her holding a gun in combat: "That movie is good. The girls are good at acting, but their ears are still too messy; in the days of girls and women, they had to tie tightly, clip neatly, or wrap scarves around their heads like a fold".
I took a photo of her. She smiled affectionately, hugging a bouquet of flowers made of wool, showing off: "Hoa he is the niece of Tu Anh who gave it to that grandmother. Take a photo for the beautiful girl, bro! The 80-year-old woman came there.
