Vietnam screens revolutionary classics ahead of Communist Party Congress
Hanoi will host a four-day showcase of landmark Vietnamese films this month, using cinema to revisit the country’s revolutionary past as the Communist Party prepares for its 14th National Congress.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam is screening a selection of revolutionary film classics in Hanoi this week as part of activities marking the 14th National Party Congress, which is scheduled to take place in the capital city from January 19-25.
People’s Artist Thanh Tu in her acclaimed role as Ms. Nhu in August Star, widely regarded as a classic of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema. File Photo
The screenings, which run until January 17 at Ngoc Khanh Cinema, revisit landmark works that shaped Vietnam’s revolutionary cinema, regardless of intimate portraits of wartime village life or epic depictions of revolution and sacrifice, bringing Vietnam’s revolutionary legacy closer to younger generations while reaffirming the enduring influence of film in national memory and political education.
The curated lineup features award-winning films from the resistance era alongside later works that reinterpret historical themes for contemporary audiences, underscoring cinema’s role in conveying the Party’s ideological and cultural values.
The program opens with Den Hen Lai Len (Until We Meet Again), a 1974 feature directed by Tran Vu that won the Golden Lotus Award at the 3rd Vietnam Film Festival. Set in Vietnam’s Northern Delta during the resistance against French colonialism, the film depicts wartime life and collective resolve with a realism that helped define the country’s revolutionary cinema.
On January 15, audiences see Sao Thang Tam (August Star), directed by Tran Dac and released in 1976. The film recreates the charged atmosphere of the August Revolution of 1945 and received the Golden Lotus Award at the 4th Vietnam Film Festival, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Vietnam’s historical filmmaking.
People’s Artist Nhu Quynh, best known for her iconic performance in the film Until We Meet Again. File Photo
The following evening features Vi Tuyen 17 Ngay Va Dem (The 17th Parallel - Day and Night) by People’s Artist Hai Ninh, one of the most influential works of Vietnamese cinema. The film explores the hardships and resilience of communities on both sides of the demarcation line during the years of national division, offering a stark portrait of sacrifice and endurance.
The program also includes a dedicated session for children and families on the morning of January 17, with a selection of Vietnamese animated films such as Dang Doi Thang Cao (The Fox Gets What He Deserves), Con Sao Biet Noi (The Talking Magpie) and Su Tich Nha San (The Legend of the Stilt House), among others. The works emphasize moral values and cultural heritage, reflecting an effort to nurture civic awareness among younger viewers.
The screenings conclude on the evening of January 17 with Dia Dao - Mat Troi Trong Bong Toi (Underground Tunnels - The Sun in the Darkness), a 2025 film directed by Bui Thac Chuyen. Winner of the Silver Lotus Award at the 24th Vietnam Film Festival, the film illustrates how contemporary Vietnamese cinema continues to revisit revolutionary themes using modern storytelling techniques.
Organizers say the showcase underscores cinema’s role as both a cultural record and a tool of public education. By revisiting landmark works alongside newer productions, the event aims to reinforce national pride and civic responsibility as Vietnam enters a new phase of development ahead of the Communist Party’s 14th National Congress.
