Viet Nam News
Thu Anh
HCM CITY — Well-known events in Vietnamese history will be depicted in several new animated film projects by young filmmakers next month.
Loa Thanh Ruc Lua (Flaming Citadel), a film using 3D technology, takes place from 257 to 179 BC under the reign of An Duong Vuong when Vietnamese lived in what was known as the Co Loa Citadel (now on the outskirts of Ha Noi) of the Au Lac kingdom.
The film’s five-minute trailer on YouTube has attracted more than 4,500 views.
The film is the first of a larger project called Hat Thoc va Nhung Chuyen Du Hanh Xuyen Thoi Gian (Rice and Time Travel) by a young filmmaker from Hac Than Studio.
Loa Thanh Ruc Lua, which will include five episodes of colourful images and simple language, will contain historical and fantasy elements.
“Our film serves children aged 8-15. We’ve worked hard to make our production completely different from Vietnamese ones which have boring pictures and contain very strict moral themes,” Le Tham, scriptwriter at Hac Than Studio, said. "High-tech, sophisticated productions attract children.”
Tham and her staff spent more than two years on filming.
“We hope the first part of Loa Thanh Ruc Lua will be released next month,” she said.
Another film project is Viet Su Kieu Hung (Valiant Vietnamese History), a series on historical events under the Tran and Ho dynasties between 1225 and 1400, launched by Duoc Moi Studio.
The first episode, Tu Chien Thanh Da Bang (Battle of Da Bang), is divided into three chapters and uses 3D technology.
The first chapter, Giay (Paper), released in January, has attracted more than 142,000 views on YouTube.
The second chapter, Huyet Mach Tran Gia (Tale of Tran Dynasty) will be released later this month. Its teaser has attracted more than 10,000 view on YouTube.
"We have researched documents and books about the nation’s historical events and victories, and legendary heroes during filming,” Tran Minh Tuan, head of the film crew, said.
YouTube hits
The animated film Con Rong Chau Tien (Offspring of Dragon and Fairy), a production by Tre Studio in co-operation with Redcat Motion, has attracted more than 9.1 million views on YouTube.
The 20-minute work is about the legend of Lac Long Quan (holy dragon) and Au Co (fairy bird) and their children (50 boys and 50 girls), who were hatched from 1,000 eggs.
It features the work and fights of the couple and their children to gain peace and happiness.
The producers spent more than VND2 billion (US$87,700) on the production.
“Through Con Rong Chau Tien, young people can learn bravery, honour and responsibility. They’ll improve their knowledge about Vietnamese history and learn about independence," a viewer from Dong Nai Province wrote in the comment section on YouTube.
Another 3D animated film, Dai Chien Bach Dang (The Victorious Bach Dang Battle), a production by students at the HCM City-based Hong Bang University, has remained popular since its release in 2012.
It has attracted 70,000 views on YouTube three months since its release.
The six-minute film features the Bach Dang Battle in 938, a famous event on the Bach Dang River between the Vietnamese, led by Ngo Quyen, and Chinese invaders under the Han dynasty.
One dramatic scene depicts Ngo Quyen showing his troops how to place iron-clad wooden spikes, invisible during high tides, in the river-bed.
After Quyen launched a counter-attack at low tide, the enemy’s large boats ran aground as they were pierced by the pointed stakes.
The victory of Bach Dang ended the 1,000-year rule of northern feudalism, opening a period of national independence and sovereignty.
“We received financial support from several domestic sponsors and companies who shared their love for Vietnamese animations,” said Phan Gia An, director of Tre Studio, with local media.
“Animation is a promising market. Young filmmakers and film companies should be involved in the industry,” he added.
“I think animated films shown on social media will help lure young audiences back to Vietnamese movies,” he said. — VNS