Additionally, a film series of the same name based on the information and data that An narrated for the American history professor and author of the book, Larry Berman, has begun production with a total investment of US$1million.
The news came from director Nguyen Van Phuoc of Tri Viet-First News Company, who was granted the copyright of the book by Berman, at the debut of the Vietnamese version in Hanoi on February 18.
An ‘incredible double life’
Talking to the press at the debut ceremony for his book, Berman said that Pham Xuan An will forever be a mystery we cannot fully understand. Berman said he is constantly concerned with questions such as: How can a man live a long life in such mysterious conditions? How did he not make any mistakes and avoid arrest at every turn? Somehow, An built friendships based on deceit but when the deception was exposed, why were there so few people who felt betrayed?
The author said that through the book he wants to help people get closer and understand more deeply the strategic intelligence general. In addition to depicting this talented spy, Pham Xuan An, Berman wanted to reveal his personality.
"He helped me understand Vietnam, its history and people. Each time we met, I wanted to know more about his mysterious life. I am very interested in his experiences in the US and the impressions which would have been imprinted on him through his time there. I was also fascinated by his role in the war and the challenges he faced at the war’s end" the author said.
Berman explained, "As a historian of this war, I wanted to use An’s story as a window to see the complexities of the war as well as the process of reconciliation and normalisation of relations between individuals and between the two countries after.”
X6 through the eyes of comrades
Yesterday at the book debut, comrades of the general were moved when talking about him.
Major General Le Hoai Thanh said, "Major General Pham Xuan An is a wise, brave and talented spy."
“He always showed a rare sensitivity and prudence. Under cover as a reporter, he used his relationships to extract enemy information, contributing to the success of the revolution," Major General Thanh said.
Speaking of Pham Xuan An, Hero of the People's Armed Forces La Van Cau expressed his admiration for the spy, "I am totally enthralled by him. He is the master.”
Pham Xuan An (September 12, 1927 – September 20, 2006) joined the Communist Party in1953 and was tasked with espionage activities. In order to create a better cover to penetrate deeper into the Saigon Government, he was sent to the US to study journalism in 1957.
In 1959, An returned to Vietnam to work for Reuters and later Time magazine and the New York Herald Tribune.
With his erudite knowledge and talented diplomatic and communication skills, he became close to generals, politicians and high ranking officials of both the US and Saigon Governments, collecting confidential, strategic information for North Vietnam.
In 2007, the book ‘Perfect Spy – The Incredible Double Life of Pham Xuan An – Time Magazine Reporter & Vietnamese Communist Agent’ by Larry Berman was first published in the US.
Although he is a legendary figure of the Vietnam War, very few people knew the story of general Pham Xuan An prior to the book, both in Vietnam and the US.
Six years later, the updated book was published with unknown stories told by An in his interviews with Berman.
The US professor said that this updated edition came from his promise to An that all information relating to him would be released over time after his death. Berman staggered the disclosure of the deceased’s information over six years.
Larry Berman said that An’s life is not just a war story but also a story of healing and loyalty to the nation and friends. Thus, according to Professor Berman, the film on An will be very difficult produce. However, he said he believes that because data on the spy’s life is abundant, the film will take audiences to some of the deepest, mysterious corners of the spy’s life.
As planned, Tri Viet Company will make a film series and a 120-minute celluloid film named Perfect Spy X6 under the copyright granted by Professor Berman.
