Partners: (From left) Actors Takei Saki, Huynh Dong, Lan Phuong, and Higashiyama Noriyuki star in the film The Partner, a Viet Nam-Japan co-operation dramatising the life of Phan Boi Chau. — VTV Photos

HA NOI (VNS)— A collaborative film between Viet Nam and Japan about the famous 20th century Vietnamese nationalist Phan Boi Chau will be shot from June to July this year, with filming to take place in both countries.

Viet Nam Television (VTV) and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) decided to make the film as part of activities to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan this year.

The 120-minute film titled Nguoi Cong Su (The Partner) examines Chau's efforts on achieving national independence for his country.

A pioneer of the Vietnamese nationalist movement in the 20th century, Chau lived in Japan from 1905-08, writing political tracts calling for the liberation of Viet Nam from the French colonial regime. He played an important role in establishing friendly relationship between Viet Nam and Japan.

The cinematic project highlights the touching and special friendship between Chau and Japanese doctor Asaba Sakitaro, which began 100 years ago when Chau went to Japan to seek support for Viet Nam's national independence movement. In Japan today, people can still see a stele standing in honour of the friendship between the two men.

Film-goers would get a close-up look at this period of history, and gain insights into the wider friendship between the two countries, said Do Thanh Hai, director of Viet Nam Television Film Production Centre.

The movie will include filming in the major cities of Viet Nam and Japan, following consultations with Vietnamese historians to ensure the film's accuracy. The Partner will be broadcast in Viet Nam and Japan in September.

Well-known Vietnamese and Japanese actors will star in the film, including Huynh Dong as Phan Boi Chau, Lan Phuong, Higashiyama Noriyuki and Takei Saki.

Lead actor Dong said he would try his best to contribute to the success of the film, speaking at a press conference on Monday.

Dong said: "Reading the script, I was touched the story of a friendship connected at the heart.

"I hope that the film can further tighten the friendship between the two countries."

Japanese actors starring in the film said that they had good impressions of Viet Nam, a country they had never visited before.

"I know that Viet Nam has a glorious and proud past," said Noriyuki, who plays the roles of doctor Sakitaro and businessman Tetsuya in the film. "I will be happy to know more about Viet Nam when taking part in this film." — VNS