As a serious film enthusiast, Ngo Phuong Lan, head of the Art Section of the culture ministry'sCinema Department, gives her judgement on Vietnamese films produced last year:
The Vietnamese film industry said farewell to 2009 at the Golden Kite Awards Ceremony in Ha Noi earlier this month with Dung Dot (Don't Burn) stealing the show, winning six categories. Some people complained about the way the judging board awarded the prizes. What do you think?
The judging board at this years Golden Kite Awards consisted of nine members, who are specialists in various areas of film producing. It meant that each of them gave his/her marks to the field he/she specialises in and the rest of the members tended to follow their judgement. We might have to reconsider this next year.
What do you think about the eight feature films that were nominated for the Golden Kite Award?
There were more films nominated for the award in 2009 than in 2008, split between State-owned and privately run film companies. Some of the more successful films were screened during Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays such as Khi Yeu Dung Quay Dau Lai (Don't Turn Around When in Love) and Nhat Ky Bach Tuyet (Snow White's Diary), both of which were produced by the independent Thien Ngan Company.
There was a notable increase in the number of films produced last year with a more diverse range of topics.
Traditional war films such as Dung Dot (Don't Burn), along with artistic films like Choi Voi (Adrift), both found success at the 16th National Film Festival and international festivals overseas.
They also became cultural phenomena, capturing the public's imagination.
There was also a diverse range of entertainment films with the cheerful musical, Nhung Nu Hon Ruc Ro (Brilliant Kisses) and action films like Bay Rong (Clash).
I think this was down to the variety of film makers, with veteran directors such as Dang Nhat Minh, young directors like Bui Thac Chuyen and Nguyen Quang Dung, and beginners like Tran Trung Dung, Le Thanh Son and Le Loc, who all contributed to a fruitful year for Vietnamese cinema.
Films that made VND13 billion (US$700,000) at the box office in previous years were considered successful in 2009 while Cong Chua Teen va Ngu Ho Tuong (Teenage Princess and Five Weird Bodyguards) reached VND20 billion ($1,070,000), showing its huge popularity.
For a long time, cinema goers including myself have called for Vietnamese films to be released throughout the year, rather than just at Tet, and this year, our luck was in.
Do you think that the quality of Vietnamese films increased together with the quantity last year?
I cannot say that all of last years films hit the standards their makers were aiming for, with some films produced purely on a commercial basis. If film makers use tricks to allure audiences without caring about the quality and aesthetics of the film, they will not be a long-term success.
Do you think the fact that some private companies explore social and other experimental topics is an encouraging sign?
The main purpose of private companies is to make entertaining films that draw large audiences. Some companies made artistic films but I don't think they were as successful as they would have liked to be.
Most artistic films that were a success were those made by State-owned companies.
I don't know if this was down to the judges' tastes or not.
State-funded Mua Len Trau (The Buffalo Boy) by director Nguyen Vo Nghiem Minh and produced by Giai Phong Film Company is a very tasteful artistic film while his Khi Yeu Dung Quay Dau Lai, produced by independent Thien Ngan Company failed to reach the same standard with a lack of depth and consistency.
Or Bay Rong, for instance, an action film in which actors try to impress the audience contains clips from Hong Kong or American martial arts films rather than Vietnamese.
I just want to say that our films have sold-out at cinemas and are just about managing to meet urgent demand, which cannot be considered as sustainable growth of national cinema.
Vietnamese cinema had a fruitful year because of various projects started in previous years. Is that right?
Yes, and this year we can expect more of the same. Many projects are close to completion including State-funded Nhin Ra Bien Ca (Looking Towards Sea) by director Vu Chau and produced by the Cinema Association's Film Company, and Long Thanh Cam Gia Ca (Song on Musician in Thang Long Citadel) by director Dao Ba Son and the Giai Phong Film Company, aimed at celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of capital Ha Noi. Other titles due for release also include Tay Son Hao Kiet (The Tay Son Heroes) by the Ly Huynh Film Company, Canh Dong Bat Tan (Endless Field) by the Viet Film Company, and Bui Duong (Road Dust) by the Viet Nam Feature Film Company. — VNS