HA NOI — Eighty-year-old film director Bach Diep this week begins filming her latest TV series about Ha Noi and its people after months of preparation.
The film is about a veteran artist and his model, an young married woman, who both live in Ha Noi between 1970 and 1990, according to the country's female director.
Their observations about the many changes that occured in the city during that period are depicted during the three-part series, Ha Noi Mot Thoi (Ha Noi in Recent Past).
To differentiate her films from other productions on Ha Noi, Diep unearthed facts and secrets that highlight the culture and lifestyle of Hanoians, who faced challenges to rebuild the city after the wars.
Produced by the Ha Noi-based KH Film Studio, Ha Noi Mot Thoi focuses on the life of veteran artist Duy (played by Dung Nhi), who loves painting Ha Noi through the beautiful image of his model.
The film features respected actors Thanh Quy, Thu Hien and Bui Bai Binh.
The series will be broadcast on Viet Nam Television's VTC channel later this year, when the 1,000th anniversary of the city will be celebrated.
"There were challenges in portraying a part of Ha Noi's history, including local people's lifestyles and the heroism that was displayed during the American War," said Diep, who has worked as a film-maker for 50 years. "I wanted to meet the viewers' expectations."
"It will be my last film," she added. "I asked my younger colleague, film director Khai Hung, to continue my work if I'm exhausted before the film is completed."
Born in 1929 to a traditional family in Ha Noi, Diep, whose real name is Nguyen Thanh Tam, joined the revolutionary activities when she was 12.
A life in work
In 1959, she spent four years studying cinematography under Russian teachers who were invited by the Vietnamese Government.
Four years later, she became the first female director and worked for the Viet Nam Film Studio.
Her first film, Tran Quoc Toan Ra Quan (Tran Quoc Toan Goes Into Battle), which features the life of young national hero Tran Quoc Toan, won the Silver Lotus prize at the Viet Nam Film Festival in 1973 in Ha Noi.
Diep has directed 15 movies, including award-winning productions like Ngay Le Thanh (The Holy Day, 1976) and Huyen Thoai Meï (Mother's Legend, 1982), both featuring movie star Tra Giang.
In 1992, she was involved in producing series for Viet Nam Television and made her name by directing quality TV series like Vui Buon Sau Luy Tre (The Village's Stories) and Nguoi Noi Tieng (Famous Person).
Most of her works are in praise of love, life and people. In her films, Diep enjoys using light and sound effects to highlight the visual features of the work.
For her contribution to the film industry, Diep was honoured with the People's Artist award from the Government in 1997.
She is one of the few Vietnamese artists chosen to be named in the Encyclopedia of Russian Cinema.
Despite her age, Diep still dreams about movie-making. "I really wanted to work in this business because I felt that film-making was my life," she said. — VNS