VietNamNet Bridge – Japanese documentary filmmakers have highly appreciated their Vietnamese colleagues' skill and have expressed willingness to cooperate with them in producing and broadcasting documentary films.

Vietnamese and Japanese filmmakers shared the same enthusiasm and passion for making the documentary.

Representatives from Nihon Denpa News (NDN) and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) joined filmmakers and delegates from television companies nationwide at a workshop held on Monday in HCM City, where they shared their experience and knowledge.

Misao Ishigaki, director of NDN, recalled the first day he came to Viet Nam to record President Ho Chi Minh's funeral and the resistance war against the Americans.

He praised the HTV film crew's abilities and responsibility when they jointly produced the documentary Nhat Ban – Cai Nhin Tu Viet Nam (Japan – A Look from Viet Nam).

"Despite the different languages and nationalities, Vietnamese and Japanese filmmakers shared the same enthusiasm and passion for making the documentary.

"We establised a fine relationship and expect further cooperation in the near future," he said.

On the occasion, director of ABC Takahisa Fujita gave HTV a Japanese documentary for the Vietnamese audience.

"We considered the Ho Chi Minh City Television HTV an important partner and are committed to improving cooperation in film production," he said.

The filmmakers pointed out that young people don't pay attention to documentary films when they turn on the TV.

HTV Director Nguyen Quy Hoa said these films should be broadcast on prime-time television to attract more viewers.

"It's necessary to invest more in producing high-quality documentary films," he said.

"Vietnamese filmmakers have many difficulties due to the poor conditions of film production," he said.

"We should strengthen the cooperation with foreign filmmakers to learn their experience and techniques."

The workshop is part of the Documentary Films and Reportage Festival, held in HCM City from May 17 to 19 by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the HCM City People's Committee.

The organising board received 58 documentary films and 61 reportages focusing on safety at work, building and defending the country, the Vietnamese people and the country in the integration process.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Tran Duc Lai appreciated the entries' quality.

"The films reflect burning problems of the society and express the sharp mind and responsibility of the filmmakers," he said. "Many documentary films mention the national sovereignty over the sea territory, drawing public attention."

The Quang Nam Provincial Broadcast and Television won the gold prize in the category of documentary films, while HCM City, Dong Thap and Ha Nam television networks received top prizes for excellent reportage.

Source: VNS