VietNamNet Bridge – Social issues, rather than vacuous entertainment, took centre stage at the 2009 National Television Festival which closed last Saturday in Nha Trang City.

Topical: Actor Bui Bai Binh (left) in a scene from Gio Lang Kinh, one of three gold medal winners for best TV series at the 28th National Television Festival last week.

It looks at some controversial issues, such as the clash between traditional and modern lifestyles, through the lives of a group of rural youngsters.

Directed by Nguyen Huu Phan, Gio Lang Kinh features a clutch of talented actors like Bui Bai Binh and Cong Ly, who put in some strong performances.

Khi Phach Anh Hung (Heroic Spirit) and Hau Hoa (Disastrous Consequence) also won gold medals. The former was made by Vinh Long Province’s Radio and Television, and the latter by Viet Nam Television’s Cinematography Saturday Evening Studio.

One of the three best documentaries was Uoc Mo Cua Thuy (Dream of Thuy), a real-life story on the struggles faced by cancer victim Le Thanh Thuy and her death.

The film, produced by Tuoi Tre newspaper’s television centre, offers young people an insight into love and compassion.

Bui Dinh Hac, head of the festival’s jury, said: “This year documentaries and TV series were serious and dealt with major problems instead of [merely] offering entertainment”.

Intriguing news reports from TV stations and film companies in southern provinces like Binh Phuoc and Can Tho - entered in the competition - showed the new ideas and original material being generated in remote areas.

Organisers gave away more than 200 awards and certificates in different categories like news, game and reality shows, and entertainment.

They held several seminars and forums, attracting filmmakers attached to both State-owned and private studios, on topics ranging from film production and marketing to copyright and encouraging private investment.

(Source: Viet Nam News)