Movie magic: Nguoi tro ve, one of seven works to screen for free in cinemas during a film week to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — Film screenings will begin nationwide to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in co-operation with the Viet Nam Cinema Department and Distribution and Screening Film Company (Fafilm VN), together with local cinemas, a full schedule of Vietnamese films, documentaries and cartoons will be organised.

The schedule includes seven films, including Nha Tien Tri (The Prophet), Mo Gio ( Fake Tombs) and Nguoi Tro Ve (The Return of Soldiers).

Produced by State-owned film studios, the films feature revolutionists, soldiers and post-war events.

Critics and moviegoers are waiting for the debut of Vuong Duc's Nha Tien Tri, a 120-minute biopic of President Ho Chi Minh.

Based on a screenplay by veteran author Hoang Nhuan Cam, the film tells about the life of the President from 1947 to 1954 during the war against the French.

The film recounts the President's time in the Viet Bac Resistance War Base (located in northern provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen), as the country's first president who led Vietnamese people in their struggle for independence from the French colonialism.

People's Artist Bui Bai Binh plays the role of President Ho.

"President Ho Chi Minh was proficient in foreign languages, so I worked hard with three experts in French, Russian and Chinese to improve my pronunciation," said Binh, who spent five hours a day on make-up for his role.

"Facing hard challenges, President Ho Chi Minh always believed in the country's inevitable victory. We named our film The Prophet, for that reason," said the film's director Duc of Viet Nam Film Studio.

Female director Dang Thai Huyen's Mo Gio features soldiers and their challenges in the post-war period.

Produced by the People's Army Film Studio, the film attracted talented actors Nhu Quynh and Truong Minh Quoc Thai.

Also, there will be a series of documentaries and cartoons screened, including 70 Nam Dat Nuoc Niem Tin Va Anh Sang (70 Years of the Country - Belief and Light) and Kim Dong (Young Hero Kim Dong).

The screenings take place from August 19 to September 5.

The organisers will also deliver videos and DVDs of the films to people living in rural districts and neighbouring provinces. — VNS