LookAtVietnam – Many overseas Vietnamese directors have been returning to Viet Nam to make films, inspired by the country’s culture and lifestyle.

Seen it: A scene in the film Dong Mau Anh Hung (The Rebel) directed by overseas Vietnamese Charlie Nguyen.

“I made Chuyen Nha Toi (My Family’s Stories) inspired by images of tu dai dong duong (four generations living under the same roof) in many families in Viet Nam,” he said.

“Humorous elements will be added to My Family’s Stories to make the series more attractive,” Nguyen said.

The 200-episode series is produced by Chanh Phuong Film Studio in co-operation with Tri Viet Media Co.

According to Nguyen, preparations are underway to make The Rebel 2, a sequel to the The Rebel after its huge success in Viet Nam and foreign countries, including the US in 2007.

Stamped: Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu (Passport to Love) directed by Victor Vu.

He is employed by the French army to carry out a secret mission, but in the process meets and falls in love with Thuy, a female intelligence agent for a Vietnamese resistance force.

Charlie Nguyen is one of many overseas Vietnamese filmmakers returning to the country to make films over the past few years, and their productions are admired by domestic and foreign audiences for their innovative themes and content.

Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Trong Khoa says his film14 Ngay (14 Days) is nearing completion.

“I’m sorry that the film did not finish last year to be screened at HCM City cinemas during Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays as planned,” Khoa said.

Hollywood ending: Cu va Chim Se Se (Owl and the Sparrow) directed by Stephane Gauger.

Three films Huyen Thoai Bat Tu (The Legend Is Alive), Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu (Passport to Love) and Cu va Chim Se Se (Owl and the Sparrow) competing in this month’s Viet Nam Cinematography Association’s Awards were produced by overseas Vietnamese.

Several awards were presented to the films, including the Silver Kite Award to The Legend is Alive.

Overseas Vietnamese Luu Huynh, who directed the film, received the Golden Kite Award for best director.

The Passport to Love

directed by Victor Vu from the US attracted large audiences at HCM City cinemas during Tet (Lunar New Year) despite stiff competition from a range of entertainment programmes during the holidays.

“I like making films in Viet Nam. I want to do something for the Vietnamese film industry and for Vietnamese audiences,” Vu said. “I’m thinking of making a film about Vietnamese history.”

Charlie Nguyen said domestic filmmakers were capable of making grand films about national history.

“But the film market in Viet Nam is still very small, with over 60 per cent of ticket sales in HCM City alone,” Nguyen said.

“Local studios need to co-operate with foreign companies to distribute their films globally to recover their initial investments,” he said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News