With the theme “Viet Nam Film Week — The Journey of Light”, Viet Nam Film Week in Paris is regarded as a strategic initiative and an important cultural diplomacy event aimed at promoting the image of a dynamic and humanistic Viet Nam to French and international audiences.
Viet Nam Film Week in Paris not only attracts strong interest from the Vietnamese community in France, but also from foreign friends who admire the country, culture, and cinematic arts of Viet Nam.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang emphasised that cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange are top priorities within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and France.
According to the ambassador, cinema is one of the most effective tools to strengthen people-to-people bonds between the two countries, as images and storytelling are key to mutual understanding. Therefore, each screening will serve as a window into moments of life in Viet Nam conveyed through cinematic language, offering audiences a profound journey through Vietnamese culture and history.
From left: Producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of VFDA; Dr Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of VFDA; and Ly Phuong Dung, Vice Chairwoman of VFDA, at the press conference in Ha Noi.
A diverse selection of films will be screened, rich in themes, storytelling forms, and styles. Through 17 works, ranging from classic influences to contemporary expressions, audiences can choose from a wide variety of topics, such as the wartime era of national defence, the post-war period of reconstruction, social psychology, and the rhythms of youth life.
Furthermore, screenings at the legendary Le Grand Rex — Europe’s largest theatre — promise unforgettable cinematic experiences for audiences during this week of cultural exchange.
Speaking to Nhan Dan journalists, Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong, Chairman of AVSE Global, affirmed that “The Journey of Light” is not merely a cultural activity but an emotional and intellectual bridge, as well as a source of national pride.
The films will vividly portray a modern, dynamic, humanistic and inspiring Viet Nam, where past and present intertwine to shape a prosperous and sustainable future. Therefore, through Vietnamese cinema, Viet Nam seeks international integration not only in film but also through broader cooperation in economic, social, and technological fields.
Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong also expressed his hope that this project will inspire similar initiatives in other cultural and artistic fields such as theatre, cuisine, fashion, and fine arts.
Joining the online press conference from Ha Noi, Dr Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the VFDA, said the theme of “The Journey of Light” carries multilayered and profound significance.
It is the journey of Vietnamese cinema from the wartime era of national defence, through the post-war period of rebuilding the homeland, the reform era, and into the modern period in which Viet Nam is “reaching out to the wider world”. It also reflects the Vietnamese people’s resilience, aspiration for peace, and humanistic reflections expressed in every frame.
Dr Ngo Phuong Lan noted that the 17 selected films span 50 years of Vietnamese cinematic creation, from 1975 to 2025. Many of these works have won awards at prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Busan, and Nantes.
According to Dr Ngo Phuong Lan, Viet Nam Film Week in Paris is not only a showcase but also an opportunity for the Vietnamese film industry to seek new connections and partnerships that can produce representative works.
French director Flavien Dupont assessed Vietnamese cinema as highly engaging, offering diverse approaches to expressing perspectives on the world and distinct emotional storytelling.
He also emphasised that the power of cinema lies in its ability to introduce a culture or viewpoint to those unfamiliar with it through images, sound, and emotion.
The Viet Nam Film Week in Paris promises to offer an immersive, rich, and multidimensional exploration of the country, people, and cinematic art of Viet Nam.
The event also demonstrates the shared spirit of strengthening cultural ties and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The success of Viet Nam Film Week in Paris may open new prospects for Vietnamese cinema on its journey to other countries in Europe and around the world.
