HA NOI (VNS)— Vietnamese filmmakers have been urged to produce quality movies "full of human value" and Vietnamese cultural identity to develop the country's film industry.

Ngo Phuong Lan, head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Cinematography Department, made the call at a ceremony yesterday to mark the 60th anniversary of Viet Nam's movie industry, held in the Ha Noi Opera House.

The industry was established on March 15, 1953, however, Vietnamese films have been made since 1947, two years after the August Revolution.

Nowadays Vietnamese filmmakers are winning national and international awards. But some experts say the most successful were produced during wartime or the early renewal process (1986).

Filmmakers experienced very difficult circumstances during the war time (some were killed). Among the films made were Chung Mot Dong Song (Sharing the Same River), Vi Tuyen 17 Ngay va Dem (17th Parallel Day and Night), Chi Tu Hau (Mrs Tu Hau), Con Chim Vanh Khuyen (Passerine Bird), Bao Gio Cho Den Thang Muoi (When the 10th Month comes).

Lan said the industry should not only hark back to its glorious past but should work harder to produce good films that bring pride to the nation.

Filmmakers should develop a diversified cinema industry. Besides revolutionary, historic and cultural films, they should produce artistic and entertaining films, Lan said.

Hoang Tuan Anh, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Viet Nam should also learn from advanced countries to help the film industry develop and integrate with its counterparts elsewhere.

Meanwhile, activities were held to mark the anniversary. A film week at the National Cinema Centre screened outstanding Vietnamese feature, documentary and cartoon films.

The National Cinema Department and departments of culture, sports and tourism in Long An and Thai Nguyen provinces organised for artists to visit the Bung Bien Cinema Relic Site in the southern province of Long An and Doi Co Cinema Relic Site in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, considered the root of the country's movie industry. — VNS