With Vietnam in Focus we aimed to embrace some of the most relevant issues of the country’s society from the last few decades.
Poetic documentary, traditional narrative, animation, spoken word…There is room for all this in Vietnam in Focus, a programme of short films that invite to reflection and a better understanding of one of the most fascinating countries in the world.
Lines to Da River shares poetically the efforts of a nation in a period of hardship and great difficulties after a very destructive war whilst the confrontation between tradition and modernity is the main theme in The Terrace, told through the figures of a father and a son. Night Run and The Dog and the Boy tackle the issues surrounding exodus from the countryside to the cities and the resulting difficulties encountered for those people to adapt to their new and unknown, decadent, urban environment.
Skate Free is the work of a Vietnamese-American filmmaker, offering a critique of the American Dream presented in a highly original style, and New Year’s Eve explores the sometimes cruel absurdities of the New Year’s ceasefire during the Vietnam War.
Short Films
Lines to Da River (Duong Day Song Da). Dir: Le Manh Tich / 11′ / 1981
The film without narration gives us poetic images of the workers building the high-tension lines to Da River. They are utterly dedicated to building up the nation in a period of great hardship and difficulties.
Special Mention in the International Competition at Tampere Film Festival 1982
Night Run (Cuoc Xe Dem). Dir: Bui Thac Chuyen / 18′ / 2008
Ban is from the countryside. Exhausted, he is finishing his first day as a rickshaw driver in Hanoi, when he’s offered a lot of money for a trip at night in the city where the streets transform into a labyrinth.
Third Prize in the Cinefondation at the Cannes Film Festival 2000
The Terrace (San Thuong). Dir: Nguyen Ha Phong / 13′ / 2006
A father and a son have lunch on the roof. A common gist is found once they return in memories to the moments of the son’s childhood.
Second Prize at 53th Oberhausen Film Festival
Skate Free. Dir: Tony Toka / 3′ / 2007 / USA
A spoken word poetry piece that explores the thin line between the idea of being successful, having a job, and the American Dream versus saying “f**k it”, tuning out, and being an artist.
The Boy and the Dog (Chu Be Danh Giay). Dir: Doan Thanh / 9′ / 2009
Life in the big city is pretty hard for the little shoeshine boy. He struggles every day looking for food and affection. But everything is about to change when he finds an unexpected friend.
Silver Kite award from Vietnam Cinema Association, 2009
New Year’s Eve (Giao Thua). Dir: Ho Thanh Tuan / 29′ / 2009
During the Vietnam War a cease-fire is declared with occasion of the New Year. A small squad of Vietnamese soldiers form the South collides with another from the North. Stuck in the same place, they decide to celebrate the New Year together.
Golden Kite award from Vietnam Cinema Association, 2009
With the support of the Embassy of Vietnam.
