Film Week 'Thang Long's Scholars and Spirit' Kicks Off in Hanoi

Hanoi, September 23 – The film week titled 'Thang Long's Scholars and Spirit' officially commenced at the National Cinema Center. This event is a collaborative effort between the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema and the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Speaking at the opening, Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, highlighted that one of the city's practical activities towards the 950th anniversary of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam's establishment (1076-2026) is the short film contest 'Scholars Today.' This contest, organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema, aims to present stories about teachers, the path of learning, and the historical scholars and culture of Thang Long-Hanoi through artistic language and contemporary emotions. "When heritage meets cinema, technology, and human creativity, the values of the past are transformed into new works, new cultural products, and new experiences that bear the imprint of the Capital," stated the Vice Chairwoman. Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema, expressed that the film week is organized with the aspiration to instill the spirit of respecting teachers and valuing talent, thereby promoting the strength of Thang Long's scholars and spirit in national defense and construction. She explained that the film week showcases a range of films spanning the development of Vietnamese cinema, including classic award-winning works from international and Vietnamese film festivals, alongside six prize-winning short films from the 'Scholars Today' contest. These films delve into history, academic pursuits, the role of teachers, youth, and the memories of Thang Long-Hanoi, serving as a dialogue between the past and present to ensure history is not confined to textbooks and heritage inspires contemporary creation. The film week will screen a total of 21 films, comprising 15 selected feature, documentary, and animated films on the Thang Long-Hanoi theme, and the 6 award-winning short films from the 'Scholars Today' contest. During the opening ceremony, flowers were presented to the members and representatives of the featured films. The opening night featured screenings of the documentary 'Thirst for Faraway Dreams' and the feature film 'The Water God's Student.' Within the framework of the program, 17 screenings will be held at two locations: 10 at the National Cinema Center and 7 at Ngoc Khanh Cinema. The schedule is designed for public convenience, with weekend sessions prioritizing young audiences and families, while weekday screenings are primarily in the evening to accommodate students and working professionals. In addition to the 6 screenings at Ngoc Khanh Cinema, the 6 award-winning works from the 'Scholars Today' contest will also be presented at the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam for independent screening arrangements, expanding public access to these works. Furthermore, the film week will include interaction sessions between the audience and artists, directors, and representatives of films such as 'The Water God's Student,' 'Fairy Tale for 17-Year-Olds,' 'The Golden Key,' 'Scent of Burning Grass,' 'The Spirit of Thang Long,' 'The Legend of Loa Thành,' 'The Teacher of All Generations,' and 'The Legend of the Divine Sword.' A meeting with the short film teams is also scheduled for the closing ceremony.