The event was a politically and culturally significant activity, as well as an emotionally resonant gathering for film professionals and audiences who cherish Viet Nam’s revolutionary cinema.
Held at Ngoc Khanh Cinema (No. 523 Kim Ma Street, Ha Noi), the event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; current and former leaders of cultural management agencies; representatives of international organisations and embassies; and generations of film artists. Among the notable figures present were Dr Ngo Phuong Lan, Vice Chairwoman of the Central Council of Literature and Art Theory and Criticism and President of the Viet Nam Film Development Association; People’s Artist Nhu Quynh; People’s Artist Nguyen Thanh Van; and Meritorious Artist Vu Dinh Than, among others.
In her opening speech, Le Thi Ha, Director of the Viet Nam Film Institute, highlighted the special significance of the 14th National Party Congress in the context of the country’s achievements after 40 years of renewal, during which Viet Nam has made major strides and steadily enhanced its international standing and prestige. Affirming the role of cinema in the revolutionary cause, she noted that films not only reflect history but also serve as a vanguard force on the ideological and cultural front, accompanying the nation through each stage of its development.
She further emphasised: “Through the truthful and vivid artistic lens of Vietnamese filmmakers, the selected films do more than recall the historical flow from the August Revolution of 1945 to national reunification on April 30, 1975. They also convey an enduring message: in all circumstances, the people have always maintained their trust and affection for the glorious Party and for the revolutionary path chosen by the nation.”
According to the Organising Committee, the film screening programme celebrating the 14th National Party Congress runs from January 14 to 17 at Ngoc Khanh Cinema, featuring 10 carefully selected feature and animated films drawn from the archives of the Viet Nam Film Institute, with support from film producers. These works are rich in ideological and artistic value, have left a lasting mark on Viet Nam’s cinematic life, and have been embraced by generations of audiences, earning recognition through domestic and international awards.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the screening of the feature film “Den Hen Lai Len” (When the Time Comes Again), a classic of Vietnamese revolutionary cinema directed by Tran Vu in 1974.
The film vividly portrays rural life in northern Viet Nam during the resistance war, depicting ordinary yet deeply humane lives that embody loyalty, steadfastness and the aspiration for independence and freedom.
The presence of artists closely associated with the film, including People’s Artist Nhu Quynh and Meritorious Artist Vu Dinh Than, brought strong emotions to the audience, extending cherished memories of a period when cinema was inseparably bound to the nation’s history.
