“When autumn sunlight comes” to attend VIFF Fest; Da Lat: “Way Back” painting exhibition opens; Charity show for young comedian; A look at Vietnam by a French woman; H2teen Concert 2009 for teenagers

Director Bui Trung Hai

Director Bui Trung Hai will bring his first film “When autumn sunlight comes” to the Vietnam International Film Festival (VIFF) in the US from April 9-12, 2009, at the invitation of the organising board.

The movie will be screened at California University in Los Angeles from 7.30-9pm, April 9, 2009. The Vietnamese director will join a talk after the show.

This year, over 60 films produced by Vietnamese throughout the world will be introduced at the VIFF. Besides the Bronze Drum Prize, there will be a prize given for the audience favourite film.

VietNamNet/TT&VH

Da Lat: “Way Back” painting exhibition opens

Painter Vo Trinh Bien opened an exhibition named “Loi Ve” (Way Back) at the Hoa Binh Exhibition House in the resort city of Da Lat, Lam Dong province on March 18.

This time Vo Trinh Bien is displaying 43 new oil paintings painted with his fingers, depicting the changes of moods of man.

This is the 8^th personal exhibition held by Vo Trinh Bien, the only painter who draws oil paintings with his fingers in Vietnam. The exhibition will be open until March 24.

VietNamNet/TT

Charity show for young comedian

HCM City comedians will join a special music-comedy show at Trong Dong (Bronze Drum) stage in HCM City on March 25 to raise funds for Tran Bum, a young comedian with cancer.

Tran Bum was diagnosed with cancer one month ago. Doctors said he needs immediate radiation therapy. However, hospital fees have already become a burden for this artist, whose mother died recently.

HCM City artists decided to organise a special show to raise funds for their colleague. The Nu Cuoi Moi (New Smile) stage decided to turn the in-vogue show “Hoai Linh – Beauty Queens of Three Region” into “Nights of Stars”. The show will attract many popular comedians in the city, namely Hoai Linh, Huu Loc, Nhat Cuong, Cat Phuong, Minh Nhi, Viet Anh, Anh Vu, Tan Beo, Tan Bo, Hong To, Hoang Son, Viet Huong, Tiet Cuong, Phuong Binh, and MC Quyen Linh. No artist will receive pay. Musician Quoc An will pay for input expenditures (stage, light, sound and ticket printing).

Though he was shocked when he learned about his disease, Tran Bum has been consoled by his colleagues’ hearts. “Nights of Stars” is expected to be a meaningful show.

VietNamNet/TT

A look at Vietnam by a French woman

Isabelle Aragon has a passion for taking photos of Vietnam. She is preparing for an exhibition at the HCM City-based French Culture Centre (IDECAF), 31 Thai Van Lung entitled “One way of looking”.

Aragon is an amateur photographer but her love for Vietnam has inspired her to create beautiful photos about the landscape and people of Vietnam.

She has held several photo exhibitions about Vietnam in Paris. Returning to Vietnam this time, she calls her exhibition, very simply, “One way of looking”.

VietNamNet/TN

H2teen Concert 2009 for teenagers

This is a concert tour of high schools and universities in the three largest cities in Vietnam, Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City, which will be kicked off at 7pm, March 29 at the Nguyen Du Sports House, HCM City.

The H2teen Concert 2009 will consist of 15 shows, running from March 29, 2009 until early 2010, with other activities like casting, offline meetings, mini-shows, and radio broadcasting.

Each concert will focus on an aspect of a teenager’s life, expressed through music and dances by popular singers, namely Ho Ngoc Ha, Anh Khoa, Hoang Hai, Phuong Vy, Luong Bang Quang, Dang Khoi, Minh Hang, Thu Thuy, Bao Thy, Thao Trang, Ung Dai Ve and Wanbi Tuan Anh.

VietNamNet/TN

HCM City: Drama to celebrate 1,000^th Thang Long-Hanoi anniversary

Idecaf Stage’s Director Huynh Anh Tuan said that Idecaf would invest VND400 million ($23,500) in a historical drama entitled “1,000-year Love Story” based on a script by writer Nguyen Quang Lap.

This drama will be arranged by Honoured Artist, Actor Thanh Loc to celebrate the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi capital. Thanh Loc will be the director and the lead actor in this drama, playing the role of hero Ly Thuong Kiet.

Many reputed actors will participate in this drama, including Honoured Artist My Duyen, Huu Chau, Thanh Thuy, Minh Tri, Hoang Trinh, Huong Giang, Le Khanh, Dinh Toan and Duc Thinh. Music for “1,000-year Love Story” is composed by Duc Tri, stage design by painter Le Van Dinh.

The work is expected to come out in May 2009, with 20 shows at the Ben Thanh Theatre and then at Idecaf.

VietNamNet/SGGP