VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 162 cinematography works will vie for the Golden Kite Awards this year.

What's cooking?: A scene in the private-funded movie Co Dau Dai Chien 2 (Battle of the Brides 2). The film will vie for the 2013 Golden Kite Awards. — Photo thegioivanhoa.vn

Head of the Viet Nam Cinema Association, director and People's Artist Dang Xuan Hai said the entries would compete in seven categories: feature film, cartoon, documentary, short film, science film, TV movie and cinematography research and criticism.

"The Golden Kite Awards [Viet Nam's local equivalent of the Oscars] promote works that feature artistic creativity, national characteristics, humane values and positive social effects," said Hai.

"Motion picture is always the most anticipated category, and the head of the jury will be a director and Meritorious Artist."

According to scriptwriter Nguyen Thi Hong Ngat, 11 out of the 13 entries in the feature film category come from private producers.

"Besides the two State-funded films Nhung Nguoi Viet Huyen Thoai (The Legend Makers) and Va Anh Se Tro Lai (So I'll Be Back), the rest are privately made," said Ngat.

"This shows that privatisation is helping the country's film industry grow. It's also good that none of the entries are nonsense comedies as in previous seasons."

The Legend Makers, directed by Bui Tien Dung, depicts one of the most vibrant periods of the country's history, focusing on the construction of an oil pipeline along the Truong Son mountain range during wartime.

So I'll Be Back, directed by young Dinh Tuan Vu, a graduate of the Ha Noi Theatre and Cinematography University, depicts the culture and lifestyle of the ethnic Mong people living in Viet Nam's northwest region.

The privately-funded films are US-style road comedy Teo Em, San Dan Ong (Hunt for Men), Than Tuong (The Talent), Am Muu Giay Got Nhon (How to Fight in Six Inch Heels), Co Dau Dai Chien 2 (Battle of the Brides 2), Duong Dua (The Race), Tien Chua (Funny Money), Gac Kiem (Quit the Gang Job) and Tia Oi (Daddy!).

The best works will be honoured on March 15 and will not be broadcast live as previously but rebroadcast the following day.

The motion pictures competing for awards will be screened for free in Ha Noi from March 10-14 at August Cinema, 45 Hang Bai Street; National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha Road; Ngoc Khanh Cinema; and CVG cinemas.

Visit www.thegioidienanh.vn and www.tpdmovie.com.vn starting March 5 for more information. Tickets will be distributed at cinemas from March 8.

Official critiques modest investment in cinema awards

According to one official, the government has provided very modest funding for the Canh Dieu Vang Awards, a biggest national event honouring Vietnamese filmmakers.  

“Tèo em”, one of the nominated films this year

The chairman of Vietnam Cinema Association, Dang Xuan Hai, said, “We have to spend about VND1.4 billion (USD66,272) this year for Vietnam’s Cinema Day and Canh Dieu Vang Awards ceremony. While the government provides funding of VND600 million (USD28,402), expenses for leasing the venue for the awards ceremony alone is nearly VND500 million (USD23,668).”

He admitted that the funding set aside as awards for artists is not much, at around VND450-VND500 million (USD21,301-USD23,668).

Even though most are very gracious in receiving the Canh Dieu Vang Award, in the previous years several winners have been reluctant to speak about the award's actual value.

“I don’t want to mention the amount I received. It’s rather modest so I just look at it as sort of a condolence prize,” said one winning director.  

A scene in the film “Những người viết huyền thoại” or “Legend Writers”

Meritorious Artist, Do Thanh Hai, who is the stage director of the ceremony, said, “Due to the modest funding, we have had to ask for additional financial support from other sources. I have to rack my brain to work out cost-saving solutions, which takes away from my ability to devise new ideas or ask for dramatic stage designs,” Hai commented.

He called on the public and the media to have some understanding of the economic situation before making criticisms of the unprofessional appearance of the event.

“Please don’t compare us with other large award ceremonies in developed countries. There is a huge disparity investment,” he added.

Source: VNS/DTriNews