The documentary, directed by French filmmaker François Bibonne, whose grandmother is Vietnamese, helps introduce international friends to both Vietnamese music and culture, serving as a bridge to strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and France.

According to director Bibonne, the film’s content showcases his journey to explore the classical music scene in Vietnam following the death of his grandmother as he wanted to learn about the place where his grandmother was born and raised.

After brainstorming the idea in 2019, he spent 15 months travelling throughout the country to meet artists and to listen to their stories about the origin of the classical music scene.

He visited the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet and the Symphony Orchestra to meet veteran artists, and called at Then village to enjoy traditional performances of trống cơm (traditional barrel-shaped Vietnamese drums).

He also visited Bac Ninh to study Quan họ (duet singing) culture and returned to Hanoi to explore Ca Trù (ceremonial singing), among others.

Last year “Once upon a bridge in Vietnam” won an award for Best Short Documentary Film at the Los Angeles Film Awards in the United States.

La Fête de la Musique was originally created in 1982 by French Ministry of Culture, featuring free music concerts throughout France. Every June 21, France hosts more than 18,000 concerts with no less than five million amateur musicians and singers who bring together nearly 10 million spectators.

Source: VOV