Selected documentaries on intersections between Europe and Vietnam

 As many as 18 selected documentaries on various topics from Vietnam, eight from European countries and one from a Middle Eastern country (Israel) will be screened in pairs at the 14th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival.

The program will take place from September 6-14 at the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio (Hanoi) and DCine Ben Thanh Cinema (Ho Chi Minh City) in an event co-organized by the Film Studio, the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), European embassies and the Embassy of Israel.

The films are paired on the basis of their similarities, such as subject matter, themes, and modes of expression.

The two films screened on September 11, Talking to Your Kid About Sex (Vietnam) and Il Cerchio (Circle), both revolve around children and depict the growth and development of this group in many ways.

A scene from the documentary Il Cerchio by Sophie Chiarello. Photo: EUNIC

As the name suggests, director Do Thi Huyen Trang's movie is about sex education for children and teenagers. Meanwhile, Il Cerchio by Sophie Chiarello tells the story of elementary school students who often sit in circles to discuss everything from children's issues, such as Santa Claus, friendship... to grown-up issues, such as the role of women in society, multiethnic issues, immigration. Both films have female directors.

I am Chance, which will be screened on September 9, is the only film at this year's festival to be rated R. The Belgian director's film explores the lives of a group of young girls living on the streets of Congo and their attitudes and perspectives in the face of life's adversities.

On the same day, Going towards the Sun by the director of Vietnam's National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio will be screened. The film portrays and exploits the touching stories of ethnic minority women struggling with bad customs, showing their fighting spirit and desire to rise up.

Many other themes such as the connection between music and traditional art forms are also brought to light through a pair of films such as Fire of Dao Tan (about the desire to preserve the art of Tuong - Vietnamese classical drama) and Karaoke Paradise, about how quiet, reserved Finns find connection and explode through karaoke.

According to Nguyen Quang Tuan, Chairman of the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, the Vietnamese documentary film will be screened first at each screening, followed by a foreign documentary film. As part of the film festival, the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio will host a screening of films by independent Vietnamese auteurs.

"While the films submitted to this year's festival have their own messages to convey, audiences who love documentary cinema in general will have the opportunity to learn more about different countries, people, and cultures," he said.

Oliver Brandt, President of EUNIC Vietnam and Director of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, noted that documentaries offer unique perspectives on issues that we rarely encounter in our daily lives, inviting us to look at the world through a new lens. By presenting these issues in an artistic way, documentaries provide thought-provoking insights and evoke emotional responses. They often challenge viewers to rethink their perspectives, expose societal issues and encourage personal growth.

"The selection of Vietnamese films deals with the preservation of cultural heritage, especially traditional arts and games, as a means of connecting generations and healing historical rifts," he said. 

The European films explore the power of the arts, including song, music, visual arts, traditional arts, and sports, to address modern alienation, foster connection, and promote collective healing and growth in a world of complexity and contradiction," he added.

In such a world, many individuals become heroes by overcoming adversity, from pandemics and wars to harmful customs, to survive, advocate for change, and create legacies.

Childhood, education, and coming of age are also prominent themes, exploring the challenges and opportunities of navigating an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.

"Documentary films provide a unique opportunity to explore other countries and gain a deeper understanding of our diverse and complex world. They play a crucial role in promoting intercultural dialogue between Vietnam and Europe. This year's focus on culture and the future of humanity - children - is particularly suited to the documentary format and the experience of a film festival," he said.

Below is the schedule for screening the paired films: