Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh subtly tells a love story in "Once Upon a Love Story".

This is his third feature film, and it was successfully selected for the Feature Film category at the 7th Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF VII), and was also chosen as the opening film of the event. "Once Upon a Love Story" not only marks a turning point in the director's career but also evokes the deepest emotions of youth.

A nostalgic look back at first loves.

"Once Upon a Time There Was a Love Story" revolves around a love triangle between the three main characters: Mien, Vinh, and Phuc. They grew up together, bound by beautiful childhood memories. The film skillfully guides the audience through the sweet and painful moments of first love. Although it's a love triangle, the director has preserved the innocence and peace inherent in the original story, avoiding tense and dramatic plot points.

Viewers were deeply moved by the fates of each character. Mien and Vinh had a happy ending, but Phuc's journey was one of prolonged separation from childhood to adulthood. Having lost his mother at a young age and living under the strict upbringing of his grandfather, Phuc seemed to dedicate all his affection to his father and Mien. However, circumstances forced him to leave that innocent love, ending the film with a poignant image of Phuc leaving his hometown alone, carrying with him the memories of a love that would never fade.

From the page to the screen

Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh couldn't hide his emotions when sharing about the journey of adapting this long novel. "A literary work undergoes many changes when adapted into a film. I've been nurturing this project for four years and approached screenwriter Nhi Bui to collaborate. We had worked well together on 'Dear Mother, I'm Going,' which helped us both easily find common ground when adapting Nguyen Nhat Anh's novel."

During the scriptwriting process, the team had to select and remove unnecessary details in order to highlight the most important elements of the story. Some details about the character Phuc were changed to better suit the emotions in the film.

"The encounter between Phuc and little Su was transformed into a chance meeting rather than a planned one, creating a natural feel for the characters. The character Vinh was also portrayed as stronger and more decisive, as instead of waiting until the next morning, he returned that very night to prove the intensity of his love," the director shared with the audience.

The director also cleverly divided the story into different time periods, from 1987 to 2000, making it easier for the audience to follow the characters' emotional development. He said that the film also retained the detail of the Camellia Girl reading as a way to honor the rich inner world of the young girl, while also reflecting her early psychological maturity compared to the two male characters.

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Footage steeped in nostalgia.

To evoke the nostalgic atmosphere of the story, the director chose musician Phan Mạnh Quỳnh to compose the film's soundtrack. Responding to criticism that choosing Phan Mạnh Quỳnh was a cliché, given that previous adaptations of Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's stories also used his music, Trịnh Đình Lê Minh asserted: "Phan Mạnh Quỳnh's music is a wonderful choice for the youthful and nostalgic atmosphere. His music has a 'vintage feel' but still subtly reflects a modern spirit, perfectly suited to 'Once Upon a Love Story'."

The film was shot in Phu Yen and received support from the local government to recreate the setting of the 1990s. The film crew had to create artificial rain six times, with the help of local fire trucks. The director also revealed that a football scene in the film had to be shot in mud after a heavy rain, creating a unique rustic feel to the scene, although this was not originally planned.

One of the most expensive scenes in the film is the cornfield scene, where cinematographer Nguyen Trinh Hoan spent three months planting corn. However, due to bad weather, the film crew had to buy 3,600 corn plants to replant right before filming began. These efforts demonstrate the meticulousness and dedication the film crew put into every frame.

The film's main cast includes Avin Lu, Ngoc Xuan, and Nhat Hoang, each bringing their own unique style to their characters. Avin Lu has extensive acting experience, but this is the first time Ngoc Xuan and Nhat Hoang have taken on leading roles. Ngoc Xuan makes a strong impression with her clear, sensitive eyes, reflecting the deep inner feelings of the character Mien. Nhat Hoang, with his youthful and carefree spirit, also brings a fresh and authentic image to the role of Vinh.

A subtle message about love and loss.

"Once Upon a Time There Was a Love Story" is not just a romantic film, but also a story about growing up, about sacrifice and pain. The director shared: “I just want to say that if the film had two or three situations that could create a dramatic scene, the characters would surely lunge at each other, tearing at each other, uttering the most terrible words, slapping and punching each other, collapsing, blood gushing from their mouths… Such situations are both opportunities and traps. For me, that's not necessarily drama. Drama is when people confront their own pain and the pain of the other person, feeling helpless and not knowing what to do, as if a razor blade is constantly cutting your hand… Surely, if Vinh or Mien acted like that, they wouldn't be the Vinh or Mien in Nguyen Nhat Anh's work, and in my imagination, the creative team's, and the actors'.”

The film ends with Phuc leaving his hometown alone, leaving behind a first love that remains only in memory. The simplicity of the storytelling and the profound emotions of the characters create a film that touches the hearts of viewers. "Once Upon a Time There Was a Love Story" is a story about first love, the sweet and naive emotions of youth, immersing the audience in deep, unforgettable recollections.

Ha Mai Trinh