Vietnamese film industry sees resurgence of historical films

Rewritten Article:

HCM CITY - Historical films are poised to captivate audiences, with the potential to become a go-to genre for local viewers.

Investor Nguyễn Thành Nam, one of the backers of the acclaimed film Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness, envisioned that a successful showing of the film would pique investor interest in films centered on the revolutionary war theme.

A promising outlook

By the morning of April 22, Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness surpassed VNĐ150 billion (US$6 million) in box office revenue, making it the highest-grossing historical and revolutionary war film to date.

"The impressive box office performance of Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness brings joy to film producers like us. This achievement will likely boost investor confidence in historical films," said Ngô Thị Bích Hạnh, spokesperson for production company BHD, who is working on a new project, The Guardian Warriors: The Mystery of King Đinh's Tomb.

Hạnh also noted that the present moment is an opportune time to produce and invest in historical films.

She cited The Guardian Warriors as an example, as it has garnered support from leaders, businesses, and locals in Ninh Bình, as well as advice from historians and a passionate group of young history enthusiasts who are also keen on traditional costumes.

Hạnh emphasized, "What strikes us deeply is the increasing love for history among many young people. They are a crucial audience segment eager to see historical films."

Actress-producer Trương Ngọc Ánh echoed this sentiment, praising the success of Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness, which paves the way for historical films and offers opportunities for those passionate about making them.

She shared, "In the past, historical films were feared to either end up unseen or critically panned. But the success of films like Đào, Phở and Piano and Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness demonstrates that this genre can indeed succeed. Every film will have its flaws, but I believe audiences will continue to support us if we create serious and well-crafted historical films."

Slated for release on September 2, audiences will have another opportunity to watch the revolutionary war theme unfold in Red Rain, directed by Meritorious Artist Đặng Thái Huyền with a screenplay by writer Chu Lai.

The film is inspired by the legendary 81 days and nights of heroic defense by the people, officials, and soldiers at the Quảng Trị Citadel in 1972, showcasing Vietnam's aspirations for independence, freedom, and national reunification during the resistance war against the US.

Hurdles to surmount

Hạnh shared that the conception of The Guardian Warriors: The Mystery of King Đinh's Tomb dates back about 10 years, stemming from a story told by a boatman in Tràng An. However, when production commenced, the team encountered numerous obstacles, despite the project being a historical fantasy film.

The high budget requirements, limited historical documentation for the period, scarcity of available settings, props, and costumes, and the complexities of the action-martial arts genre made progress appear uncertain at times.

Filming in rugged terrains such as mountains and rivers presented additional challenges for such a large production team.

"One of the most significant challenges today is finding actors who not only excel at their craft but also possess martial arts skills. Moreover, they must commit to six months of training and two months of rigorous filming, as demanded by the two directors – a demanding feat when actors are usually busy with several projects," Hạnh explained.

This was a similar challenge encountered by the team behind Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness. Director Bùi Thạc Chuyên required actors to avoid taking on other jobs during production to maintain complete dedication to their roles.

Fortunately, during the preparation and roughly two months of filming, all the actors delivered their full commitment.

The success of Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness is expected to ignite investor interest in films centred on the theme of revolutionary war. Photo: sggp.org.vn

Chuyên often emphasized that those involved in Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness needed to embrace the mindset of historical filmmakers, who are serious about preserving history while being creative enough to make the film artistically and entertainingly valuable.

Difficulties arose, such as coordinating the use of military equipment precisely to match each scene's needs, which required careful planning aligned with the script's intentions.

Similar difficulties also challenge the production of Red Rain. Beyond dealing with harsh weather conditions, the team faces issues with budget, settings, costumes, props, and human resources.

The success of Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness demonstrates that even independently produced and privately funded projects can thrive when backed by governmental and organizational support.

This has become a typical model for effective public-private cooperation — an essential approach to overcoming challenges in historical films and the broader literary and artistic fields. VNS

| || --- || This upcoming September 2, audiences will have another chance to see the Red Rain film. Photo baovanhoa.vn |

Investment Opportunities in Historical and Revolutionary War Films:

Historical and revolutionary war films consistently garner attention with their gripping narratives and historical significance. Recent successes such as "The Tunnel" present exciting investment opportunities in this genre. This case study explores the investment potential in films similar to "Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness" and "Red Rain," focusing on market appeal, production considerations, and profitability prospects.

Market Appeal and Trend

Audience Interest: There's a growing interest in authentic and complex war stories that shed light on human struggles instead of romanticizing heroics[1][2].
Recent Successes: Movies like "The Tunnel" in Vietnam and "Warfare" globally have achieved impressive box office results, signaling a strong market for well-crafted war movies[3][4].
Golden Age of War Movies: The 2010s and early 2020s have witnessed a renaissance in war films, offering diverse storytelling and advanced production techniques[1].

Production Considerations

Authenticity and Realism: Films that authentically portray historical events or modern conflicts are more likely to resonate with audiences[3].
Cost and Budget: Historical and revolutionary films often necessitate significant investment for costumes, settings, and action sequences. Budgeting efficiently is crucial[2].
International Collaboration: Partnering with international studios can pool resources and leverage diverse storytelling perspectives[5].

Potential for Profitability

Box Office Performance: Successful war films can deliver remarkable box office results, as demonstrated by "The Tunnel" in Vietnam[4].
Awards and Recognition: Films that receive critical acclaim can attract additional investment and attention, increasing marketability[5].
Streaming and DVD Sales: Beyond theatrical releases, streaming rights and DVD sales offer additional revenue streams[2].

Case Study: "The Tunnel"

This upcoming September 2, audiences will have another chance to see Red Rain film. Photo baovanhoa.vn

- Success Factors: "The Tunnel" succeeded due to its historical accuracy, engaging storyline, and strong marketing. Its focus on lesser-known aspects of Vietnamese history resonated with both local and international audiences.- Investment Opportunities: Producers could capitalize on similar historical narratives, uncovering untold stories from various regions.- Challenges*: Ensuring historical accuracy alongside audience engagement is a key challenge in these projects.

Future Prospects

Diverse Storytelling: Stepping beyond traditional war narratives to include character-driven stories and unconventional perspectives can attract a broader audience.
Emerging Technologies: Incorporating advanced cinematography and special effects can elevate the visual and immersive experience of these films.
International Co-productions: Collaborating with producers from multiple countries can help tap into diverse markets and funding sources.

In conclusion, investing in historical and revolutionary war films presents promising opportunities, provided that productions focus on authenticity, diverse storytelling, and efficient budget management. The success of films like "The Tunnel" highlights the potential for substantial returns when these elements are effectively executed.

The governmental support and collaboration with businesses could be crucial for overcoming the budgetary and logistical challenges in producing historical and revolutionary war films.
Leveraging international collaborations and partnerships with foreign studios can help pool resources and offer diverse storytelling perspectives, which can increase profitability.
To capture the growing interest in complex and authentic war stories, production companies should focus on narratives that shed light on human struggles rather than romanticizing heroics.
A strong labor force is essential for historical and revolutionary films, with actors possessing both acting skills and martial arts abilities to bring tales to life.
Efficient budgeting and strategic planning are crucial to take advantage of emerging technologies, such as advanced cinematography and special effects, that may elevate the visual and immersive experience of films.
Diverse storytelling, beyond traditional war narratives and unconventional perspectives, can attract a broader audience and increase revenue streams from different markets.
Documenting historical facts and maintaining historical accuracy is essential for eliciting interest from audiences and attaining critical acclaim, which can attract further investment.
Streaming platforms and DVD sales can serve as crucial sources of income for historical and revolutionary war films that achieve theatrical success.