I can smell burning grass in the night
His skin is covered with wildflowers
Thach Han River is stained with writhing colors
Eighty-one legendary days of defending the country...
"The smell of burning grass (July 26, 2016).
Vietnamese cinema, over the decades, has paid special attention to the theme of war, where the films not only recreate a tragic period of the nation's history but also clearly depict the resilient and indomitable spirit of our ancestors. With an emotional artistic language, each work is like an epic that touches the hearts of viewers, reminding them of the value of peace and noble sacrifice.
The Epic of the 17th Parallel: Day and Night (1972)
Born in the context of the US military escalating the war in Vietnam, the film Parallel 17 Days and Nights by director Hai Ninh has the stature of a heroic epic about the people's resistance war to defend the country. The film is based on real events in Gio Linh sand village, recreating the fierce confrontation between the sand villagers, led by Ms. Diu (played by actress Tra Giang), and the army of the Republic of Vietnam. With a duration of nearly three hours, the work makes a strong impression thanks to the elaborate staging art, the grand scenes and the use of "cinematization" of the heroic qualities of the soldiers to defend the country.
Hanoi Baby (1974)
After the success of Parallel 17 Days and Nights, director Hai Ninh and screenwriter Hoang Tich Chi continue to collaborate on a work with the same war theme called Hanoi Baby. The film follows Ngoc Ha, a 12-year-old girl, on her journey back to Hanoi to find her father after hearing that her mother and younger sister were buried by American bombs under Kham Thien Street. Throughout the film is a series of interwoven memories of Ngoc Ha, about the small happiness when her family was still whole, about the desire to go to school and the dream of a day of peace. The image of the desolate, ruined Kham Thien Street in contrast with the sweet memories of the girl highlights the cruelty and loss caused by war, leaving a painful mark in the hearts of viewers.
Saigon Special Forces (1984 – 1986)
Nearly a decade later, the Saigon Special Forces series was released and quickly created an unprecedented ticket fever. Inspired by the stories of special forces soldiers during the years of the war against America, the four episodes were respectively titledRendezvous, Silence, The Storm and Give Me Back My Name. The film highlights the heroic spirit, intelligence and silent sacrifice of the commandos operating in enemy territory. Interspersed between the tense action scenes are the complex psychological scenes of the characters, creating a convincing film. With meticulous staging, close adherence to real prototypes and the advice of Major General Tran Phung, hero Nguyen Cu, the work has avoided the limitations of fiction or exaggeration, becoming one of the classic films on the theme of war in Vietnamese cinema.
Don't Burn (2009) and The Scent of Burning Grass (2012)
Do not burn, a film by director and People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh, brings haunting memories of the humble human condition before the war. Based on the diary of female doctor Dang Thuy Tram, the work depicts complex feelings of loss and tragedy. The diary, which was given to her family by an American veteran after 35 years, has become a wartime fairy tale, causing intense emotions for the audience.
Continuing the war film series, the filmThe smell of burning grassby director Huu Muoi, released in 2012, brings a nostalgic perspective. Set in the tragic battle at Quang Tri Citadel in the summer of 1972, the film tells the story of four student friends Hoang, Thanh, Thang and Long. After leaving school to join the army, they fought together at the Citadel. Through the flashbacks of the character Hoang, the survivor, the film recreates the wild memories of youth, the unfulfilled aspirations of the friends who "lived forever at the age of 20" who lay underground.
Contemporary works with strong historical imprints
In 2024, the moviePeach, Pho and Pianocreated an unexpected box office phenomenon. The work was commissioned by the State with a budget of more than 20 billion VND, set in the period from late 1946 to early 1947. The film takes viewers back to the days of Hanoi's war, depicting the image of the resilient army and people of the capital and the deep love between the self-defense soldier Van Dan and the young lady of Hanoi. The work not only recreates a historical period but also touches the hearts of the audience with a humane story about the people and the resilient, indomitable spirit of Hanoi.
Continuing the journey to discover historical stories, in 2025, two filmsTunnels: Sun in the DarkandRed Rainexpected to bring new cinematic experiences.Tunnels: Sun in the Darktakes the audience back to 1967, the fiercest time of the war, where the Binh An Dong guerrillas fought in the narrow and dark space of Cu Chi tunnels. With unique setting and storytelling, the film recreates the harshness of the war, making the audience live and breathe with the characters.
Meanwhile,Red Rainreenacting the journey of fighting and sacrifice of young soldiers in the Quang Tri Citadel battle in 1972. This battle that lasted 81 days and nights is a symbol of the indomitability of the Vietnamese people. Through the slices of soldiers' lives,Red Rainleading the audience into a space where death is always near, but above all, the light of faith, comradeship and bravery still shines brightly, affirming the indomitable will of the Vietnamese people.
