It’s a time for them to meet up and work to develop the national film industry. Minh Thu hit the red carpet to rub elbows with the stars.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, vice director of the Department of Cinema, vice chairwoman of the organising board of the VNNFF

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, vice director of the Department of Cinema and vice chairwoman of the organising board of the VNNFF. — VNS Photo Minh Khanh

What is the state of the national film industry currently?

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha: The cinema industry is a special industry because it doesn’t bring as much profit as others but it promotes the image of the country to the world, and it transfers people’s culture, opinion and messages.

In recent years, Vietnamese films have been invested in and made in a very creative, innovative and professional way. According to the Cinema Department, the number of Vietnamese films has increased to 15 per cent of all films screened in cinemas nationwide. Many film production companies have been established with foreign investment. Many films are now made with foreign experts and technology, leading to higher quality.

Many Vietnamese films and filmmakers have been honoured at international film festivals. It’s a good sign for the national film industry that we have a talented young generation of filmmakers.

Actress Nha Phuong

The festival is a much-anticipated event for cinema workers and film lovers. How does it feel to walk on the red carpet of the opening ceremony?

Award-winning actress Nha Phuong. She's best known for her role in blockbuster TV series Tuổi Thanh Xuân (The Youth). — VNS Photo Minh Khanh

Nha Phuong: I am so happy to see many experienced artists, it’s a chance for me to exchange and learn from them. I feel proud to walk with them on the red carpet. This year, I feel eager to attend the event because there are many good films to be presented. There's no doubt that the Vietnamese cinema industry is blooming with excellent entries. The fact is that Vietnamese films have an impressive number of viewers at the box office.

Actor, director, People’s Artist Bui Bai Binh, 63, Best Actor of the 13th VNNFF 

People’s Artist Bui Bai Binh, 63, Best Actor of the 13th VNNFF, answers journalists at the 21st VNNFF. — VNS Photo Minh Khanh

I have attended many seasons of the national film festival, each year I have a different feeling. When I and my film are nominated, I feel happy, proud and nervous if I receive the award or not. When I have no nomination, I still feel eager to attend the event because it’s a rendezvous of different generations of actors and filmmakers nationwide.

Quy Binh: This year, the festival is very special for me because actress Kaity Nguyen and I had the honour to hoist the flag to open the VNNFF because we received the Best Actor and Best Actress titles at the previous festival. It makes you so happy when you receive appreciation for your effort, devotion and works of art. During a career, special moments like this don't come often.

What do you think of the quality of the films in the Competition Category?

Quy Binh: The 16 films competing at the festival this year are excellent. It’s a result of the development of the national film industry in the past two years. Most of them are for young people. It’s a regret that there are few films for audiences at a higher age. It’s not perfect for a national film festival. I hope that in the future, filmmakers will realise the demand and taste of old and middle-aged audiences. We should produce more films for them.

I watched most of the films and it’s hard to compare. Each has its own colour. The festival is a place to honour cinema workers so I think being nominated at this event is a recognition and appreciation. To win or not, it’s not important.

Director Dinh Tuan Vu: This year, my film Truyền Thuyết Về Quán Tiên (A Legend in Quán Tiên) participates in the Competition Category, so I certainly expect it will be honoured with an award.

Director Dinh Tuan Vu whose film Truyền Thuyết Về Quán Tiên (A Legend in Quán Tiên) participates in the Competition Category. — Photo phununews.vn

Among 16 films participating in the Competition Category, only four were sponsored by the State, the rest by private enterprises. What do you think about this?

Dinh Tuan Vu: Most of the State-produced films are about war, social issues and history. Some people think it sounds dry and boring. In the case of A Legend in Quán Tiên, I chose to tell the story in a gentle and emotional way, so the film exploits the characters’ philosophy, not only fighting or bombing. I expect that in the future we will see many other films produced following the State’s orders.

Director/actor Duc Thinh

What do you think of the films in the Competition Category?

Duc Thinh: I think they don’t reflect adequately current society and the development of the national cinema industry. They need more power to bring a panoramic view of society and culture. However, the films are rich in genre as we see romance, comedy and war/history.

Director Duc Thinh (left) and his wife, actress Thanh Thuy attend the opening ceremony of the VNNFF. — VNS Photo Minh Khanh

Among 16 films participating in the Competition Category, only four were sponsored by the State, the rest by private enterprises. What do you think about this?

Duc Thinh: Films of private enterprises get a lot of investment in terms of budget, scripts, post-production, cast and costumes. In my opinion, no matter if it’s produced by the private or State enterprises, it should be a good and humane film with a clear message.

Most of the films presented at the festival are for young people. What do you think about this?

Duc Thinh: I think it’s obviously because audiences at the box offices are young people aged 17-25 as far as I know. So filmmakers will create works which are suitable for these people’s age and taste. VNS

Minh Thu

Filmmakers eye Vietnam

Vietnam is home to a lot of beautiful landscapes with the potential to be gorgeous backdrops to movies, Polish director and producer Krzysztof Zanussi said during a conference on Sunday.

Festival kicks off celebrating cinema industry’s development

The 21st Viet Nam National Film Festival 2019 officially kicked off on Saturday in the coastal province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau celebrating the development of the national cinema industry.

Association to boost film industry’s development

Filmmakers and others in the movie business gathered to establish the Viet Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development on Thursday in Hanoi.