Witness the River of Fire
In "Red Rain", the audience shed tears at the scene of O Hong rowing a boat to bring the army across the Thach Han River to the ancient citadel of Quang Tri. The character played by actor Le Ha Anh became the symbol of a woman in her twenties, brave in the midst of the fire.
In real life, Quang Tri people still mention Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (born in 1954, Giang Hen village, Trieu Phong commune) - a pillar in the past who, together with her father-in-law, defied bombs and bullets, quietly leading the army to the river in the hot summer of 12.
Mrs. Thu recalled that day, just 18th, after having an engagement ceremony, the campaign began. Her father-in-law, Mr. Nguyen Con, is over 50 years old but still roads a boat with her to cross the Thach Han River.
Thach Han water is fierce, changing every hour. Her father-in-law, who is fluid-proof, taught Ms. Thu how to listen to the sound of water to keep steering. During the day, the enemy launched fierce attacks, many ferries had to travel at night, only lightning and bombs. Sometimes the bomb fell close to the boat's side, she held a gun while paddling. "We only have one belief: we must bring our brothers to the river safely, if they sacrifice, we will beheaded" - Ms. Thu said.
Mrs. Thu could not remember how many trips she had taken, only carving deeply the faces of young men who had crossed the river and the wounded soldiers breathing on the river that day. That memory was haunting her heart, every time she mentioned it, she still felt heartbroken.
Remembering peace from the blood and bones
Since "Red Rain" was released in theaters, Mrs. Thu's small house became bustling. Veterans and young people come to listen to her story of crossing the river. Many people say that O Hong in the film is her appearance. At first, she just laughed, because "all the girls in Quang Tri back then were so resilient".
Her health gradually weakened due to the consequences of war and disease, but when a local writer and official invited her to the cinema to watch the movie Red Rain, she and her husband immediately left. For more than two hours, she wiped her tears many times. What moved her the most was O Hong's unfinished love tragedy on screen, which reminded her of the many losses of wartime women. As for her, luckily after four years apart, she met her husband again when the country was unified.
When the film ended, the whole theater went silent. Mrs. Thu sat for a long time, her eyes watching the black screen as if holding on to her memory.
It feels like meeting my teammates again. Many people were lying in that river. Watching the film, I feel both sad and relieved, because the sacrifices are portrayed so that the next generation can know and appreciate them" - Ms. Thu was moved.
Coming out of the cinema, she thanked the young people for inviting her to watch, saying that this was a day she would never forget. If his teammates had lived, they would have been happy to see their story told.
The images of O Thu and O Hong in real life are blended together, to keep the memories of a generation of female explorers on the Thach Han River together with history. It is not only a gratitude for the past, but also a reminder today, that peace is achieved through the sweat, blood and the iron love of simple people.
