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All aboard: The subject of the documetary film Metamorphosis of a Train Station by director Thierry Michel is the future European transportation hub in Liege, Belgium. — Photo courtesy of Wallonie-Bruxelles |
HA NOI — The second International Documentary Film Week will kick-off in Ha Noi tonight with screenings of the Belgian film Metamorphose d'une gare (Metamorphosis of a Train Station) and The Red River City from Viet Nam. The event is being held by the Viet Nam National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio in collaboration with the Wallonie-Bruxelle Delegation and the embassies of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France in Viet Nam.
Metamorphose d'une gare is the latest production by director Thierry Michel. In this 80-minute film, viewers will watch the ten year construction project of a new train station in Liege, Belgium.
"A woman nestling herself against a hill" was the image renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava wanted to evoke with his design of the new Luik-Guillemins train station, a key European transit terminal and already the pride of Belgium's Walloon province.
Thierry Michel followed the megalomaniac project from the removal of the first stone to the inauguration nine years later.
Constructing this palace of steel, concrete and glass was an enormous challenge from the very start, beginning with the choice of the right concrete. From the gigantic construction site, which looks like a bomb crater, discussions concerning artistic choices, economic pragmatism and town planning begin to unfold before the film maker's' eyes.
The Red River City, directed by Nguyen Nhu Vu, tells the story of the formation and development of Ha Noi in relation to the Red River. As the city developed, the river became more and more important to the development of the social economy.
With films focused on five topics, architecture, spirituality, multi-culturalism, cultural heritage and women, the documentary film week is an occasion for film maker and film lovers from Europe and Viet Nam to share their experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges we all face in an ever-changing life, said Pham Thi Tuyet, director of the studio.
The Vietnamese film The Altar of the Mother will be paired with Italy's In Purgatory tomorrow. On Wednesday, Viet Nam's Native Soil and Germany's Home from Home, will be shown, followed by Viet Nam's The Temple of Literature and Switzerland's The Giant Buddhas on Thursday.
Viet Nam's I Need Parents and France's Et Elle crea la femme will finish the event on Friday.
Following last year's success, the films will be screened free-of-charge at the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, 465 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ha Noi, nightly this week at 7pm. Cocktails will be served at 6.30pm. — VNS