Hanoi (VNA) - The 2024 European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival aims to celebrate diversity and strengthen cross-border connections through a curated selection of films paired based on common themes and subjects.
The 14th edition of the festival will feature 18 documentaries from Vietnam, eight European countries, and one West Asian country (Israel), grouped into nine pairs. These films will be screened from September 6 to 14 at the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio in Hanoi and Dciné Ben Thanh Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City. The event is co-organised by the studio, the European Union National Institutes for Culture and Embassies (EUNIC), and Israel.
The documentary pairs are linked by shared elements, such as subjects, themes, and storytelling styles.
For example, the pair “Noi voi con ve Gioi Tinh” (Talking to your Kids about Sex) from Vietnam and “Il Cerchio” (The Circle) from Italy, both directed by women and screened on September 11, focuses on children, depicting their growth and development from various perspectives.
The Vietnamese film by director Do Thi Huyen Trang revolves around sex education for children and adolescents. Meanwhile, Sophie Chiarello’s “Il Cerchio” follows primary school children who sit in circles to discuss topics ranging from childhood issues like Santa Claus and friendship to broader subjects like the role of women in society, multiculturalism, and immigration.
“I am Chance”, screened on September 9, is the only film rated 18+ at this year’s festival. Directed by Belgian Filmmaker Marc-Henry Wajnberg, it tells the story of a group of young girls living on the streets in Congo, highlighting their attitudes and perspectives when faced with life's hardships.
Screened alongside it is “Di ve phia Mat Troi” (Going towards the Sun), a documentary by director Dao Duc Thanh from the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio. This film portrays the lives and struggles of ethnic minority women against outdated customs, highlighting their resilience and desire to rise above.
Other topics, such as the connection through music and traditional art forms, are explored through pairs like “Ngon lua Dao Tan” (Fire of Dao Tan), which is about preserving the traditional art of Tuong/hat boi, and “Karaoke Paradise”, which is about how quiet, reserved Finns find connection and expression through karaoke.
Vietnamese “Tren dinh Phja Khao” (Life on top of Phja Khao Mount) by Nguyen Quang Tuan and Dang Thi Kim Son is paired with “Historjá Stitches for Sápmi”, a Swedish film by Thomas Jackson about Sápmi—a culturally rich region spanning the four countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
“Documentary films offer a unique opportunity to explore other countries and gain a deeper understanding of our multifaceted and complex world. They play a crucial role in fostering intercultural dialogue between Vietnam and Europe. This year’s emphasis on culture and the future of humanity – the children, is particularly well-suited to the documentary format and the experience of a film Festival,” remarked Oliver Brandt, President of EUNIC Vietnam and Director of the Goethe-Institute Hanoi.
According to Meritorious Artist Trinh Quang Tung, Deputy Director of the studio, the films not only provide cultural insights for audiences but also serve as valuable lessons for Vietnamese filmmakers and producers, particularly in terms of topics, presentation styles, and film language.
Through certain shared elements, cultural and social differences are also highlighted, celebrating diversity and cross-border human connections.
In addition to the 18 feature-length works by international and local directors, the festival will include a special session introducing four others by independent filmmakers, including "Con di Truong Hoc” (My Son goes to School) by Ha Le Diem, also known for “Nhung dua tre Trong Suong” (Children of the Mist)./.
