April 30, 1975, a brilliant and brilliant milestone deeply engraved in the heroic history of the Vietnamese people, the day the South was completely liberated, the country was unified from North to South, has become an endless source of inspiration, a fascinating subject for many generations of talented filmmakers. From realistic documentary films, vividly recreating each historical moment, to artistic cinematic works, deeply depicting the image of soldiers and life during wartime, all together have created a rich artistic treasure, giving us clear and emotional images of the great victory of the nation half a century ago.
These films and plays not only vividly and realistically recreate fierce battles and decisive historical campaigns, but also subtly depict the spiritual life, aspirations and wishes of the Vietnamese people during the arduous war years. Through that, these works not only educate the tradition of patriotism and indomitable spirit for present and future generations, but also evoke deep pride in a glorious past and the strength of national unity.
"The Wind Rises" (1966), a classic film about wartime pain
Like a strong wind blowing up the smoldering conflicts in the heart of a family and an entire nation, the film "Noi Gio" was released in 1966 under the talented hands of director Huy Thanh, adapted from the emotional play of the same name by writer Dao Hong Cam, and became a special mark, a pioneering work of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema when it directly depicted the fierce war in the South. The context of a painful historical period, when the country was divided, families were separated, was recreated in a realistic and haunting way.
Black and white film footage with historical significance
In the film, Van (played by Thuy Van) is a revolutionary soldier who follows the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam; and her younger brother - Lieutenant Phuong (played by The Anh) - is a high-ranking officer of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Phuong returns to the village to train soldiers and destroy communist followers. The villagers' struggle against the American invaders and their henchmen is launched from a family conflict between Phuong and Van. Van chased her younger brother out of the house, although they still maintain a close relationship.
The scene impressed viewers at one time.
The film not only praises the image of a wise, brave, and courageous woman, but also the awakening of a person who has gone astray. “The plot is developed along two separate lines: one is the struggle of Ms. Van and the villagers against the enemy; the other is the awakening process of Phuong after witnessing the brutal actions of the American puppets and the resilient struggle of the villagers,” wrote the book “History of Vietnamese Cinema”.
"The Wild Fields" (1979), a lyrical epic, encapsulates all national philosophy
"The Wild Field" is a classic Vietnamese film, released on April 30, 1979. The film was directed by People's Artist Nguyen Hong Sen, written by writer Nguyen Quang Sang and composed by musician Trinh Cong Son. Set in the Dong Thap Muoi region during the flood season, the film revolves around the life and resilience of the family of Ba Do (People's Artist Lam Toi) and Sau Xoa (Thuy An) and their young child.
The lyrical beauty of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema
They lived in a makeshift hut in the middle of a flooded field, carrying the sacred mission of protecting the communication line for the revolution, while facing the relentless pursuit of American helicopters. The scenery in the film is imbued with the Southern character, from the Dong Thap Muoi river with water lilies and sesban flowers to the way of talking and responding to love songs. The film recreates the arduous war years through the image of Ba Do and his wife and their young child who had to fight every day to win land and the right to live.
Born during a difficult period, this classic work of Vietnamese cinema still makes audiences emotional when expressing the determination to fight the enemy and the everyday emotions of revolutionary people.
In the film, there are many unique comparisons, between a small family on one side and the enemy's powerful forces and sophisticated weapons on the other; the cry of a child on one side and the roar of a jet plane on the other. Between a small force but with extraordinary will and a force nurtured by ambition, which side will win? The unity and joint efforts of Ba Do's family make the enemy terrified. They themselves have to ask the question: "I can't understand how this guy can live on such a water field?" and asserted fearfully: "The wilderness still has human life.”. The film evokes love and faith in life. And life is learning to adapt to survive.
"The Upside Down Card" (1982-1987) a peak of Vietnamese cinema
This is an 8-episode black and white TV series about intelligence directed by Khoi Nguyen. “The Turned Card” is adapted from a real character, the heroic martyr Pham Ngoc Thao (alias Chin T), under the main character name Colonel Nguyen Thanh Luan, who was deeply embedded in the enemy's heart, in Saigon, during the US - Diem period (a right-hand man of the Ngo Dinh Diem family). With intelligence, quickness, sharpness and especially bravery, Nguyen Thanh Luan, along with a female intelligence officer - Thuy Dung, who is also his beautiful wife, coordinated well, smoothly, overcame all challenges, obstacles and doubts of the enemy, to reach the finish line successfully.
When mentioning war-themed movies that left a deep impression on audiences in the 80s and the history of Vietnamese cinema, we cannot help but mention "The Upside Down Card"
Writer Nguyen Bach Dang knows how to select very valuable details, leading viewers to the plots, tricks, and corruption cases that were common in the political arena at that time in a coherent, easy-to-understand and attractive way with impressive and intellectual dialogues. Director Le Hoang Hoa not only created tension, dangerous moments close to life and death, success and failure, which are inherent in a film about intelligence, but also created a leisurely but attractive film rhythm thanks to the elegance in the way the film was edited. He created beautiful frames, realistically recreating the scenery, culture of Saigon, character costumes right before 1975, and the background music was popular music in Saigon at that time.
The golden movie in the history of Vietnamese cinema
After many decades, until now, we can still affirm that “The Flip Card” is a good war movie, leaving a resounding mark in the history of our country’s cinema. That success shows the dedication, serious work, enthusiasm and creativity of the whole crew, from the director, screenwriter to the cast, especially Chanh Tin - an amateur actor but suddenly became a phenomenon of the time.
"Don't Burn" (2009)
Don't Burn is a 2009 historical drama film directed and written by People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh, based on the famous diary of female doctor and martyr Dang Thuy Tram. The film created a big buzz when it was released.
In the movie "Don't Burn", Dr. Dang Thuy Tram is patient and gentle with her patients, often singing them "Song of Hope" to help them forget the pain.
The film explores the profound inner life, clearly depicting the beauty of the soul and compassion of female military doctor Dang Thuy Tram (played by actress Minh Huong), which is also the spiritual beauty and fighting spirit of Vietnamese youth. In addition, the film also shows the tolerance of the Vietnamese people, proving that love erases historical wounds. This is a realistic, simple film but contains great and strong national character.
"The Smell of Burning Grass" (2011)
"The Scent of Burning Grass" was released in 2011, directed by Nguyen Huu Muoi, with poet Hoang Nhuan Cam as the screenwriter, based on the diary "Forever 20" by martyr Nguyen Van Thac. The film recreates the 81-day and night war at Quang Tri Citadel in 1972. The main characters of the film include four soldiers Hoang, Thanh, Thang, and Long. Originally university students, at the call of the Fatherland, they were ready to put aside all ambitions to go to battle. Here, Thanh, Thang, and Long sacrificed their lives, while Hoang was lucky to survive and return. The film's story is told from Hoang's memories when he revisited the old battlefield.
The Scent of Burning Grass is one of the first and most realistic films depicting the 81 days and nights of fighting of the Vietnamese army at Quang Tri Citadel - the place known as the "human meat grinder".
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country, enjoying these outstanding cinematographic and theatrical works again becomes more meaningful than ever. This is not only an act of remembrance and gratitude to those who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, but also a precious opportunity for each of us, especially the younger generation, to understand more deeply the value of peace, independence, the strength of the national spirit and the will to unify the country. These films and plays are truly precious "gems" of Vietnamese culture, well worth our time to watch and contemplate.
