HÀ NỘI — Veteran filmmaker Hà Bắc has released an animated short about Việt Nam's islands and seas.
Truyền Thuyết Đảo Xa (Legend of Remote Island) is a 12-minute film that starts with two navy soldiers on a remote island telling the story of Rồng Vàng (Golden Dragon).
A scene from Legend of Remote Island by Hà Bắc. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn
“In early 2014, when the 981 Hải Dương drilling platform violated Vietnamese islands and seas, I wanted to make a film with this theme,” said Bắc.
He met writer Đình Kính and the two artists discussed the idea. From Kính’s script about Rồng Vàng, Bắc's film tells the story of a dragon landing on Earth and forming the s-shaped Việt Nam, carving the islands with its claws.
“The script is long enough to make a motion picture, but we just mad an animation 12 minutes long,” Bắc said.
“It was very difficult for us to tell a short story that inspired the audience. I decided to make the animation using paper cutouts.”
Bắc's characters have no dialogue and just use the narrative from Quốc Trị. It took one year to complete the animation with a ten-member crew.
“Through the story, I want to convey a message of patriotism, national defense and pride,” said the filmmaker.
Bắc graduated from the Việt Nam Fine Arts University and began making animations in 1976. He made a 3D animation in 2005 which won the Silver Lotus at the 15th National Film Festival.
He also made a 3D animation to celebrate the 100th birthday of General Võ Nguyên Giáp.
He has been awarded by the Việt Nam Cinematography Association and the ASEAN New Media Arts Competition and Exhibition.
He has been a judge at international animation festivals in France, Belgium and India.
He was recognised as a People’s Artist in 2012 and was handed the State Award for Literature and Arts in 2017. — VNS
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