TTLV: Feminist discourse in Vietnamese films (a survey of three films: Me Thao - The Golden Age; Mother's Soul; and Island of the Residents)

1. Student's full name: NGUYEN THI THUY HANG

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: December 29, 1973

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision No. 1765/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 28, 2018, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing postgraduate students.

6. Changes in the training process: none

7. Title of the graduation thesis:Feminist discourse in Vietnamese films (a survey of three films: Me Thao - The Golden Age; Mother's Soul)and(Island of the inhabitants).

8. Specialization: Theory, History, and Criticism of Film and Television;

Code: 8210232.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Hung.

Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis examines three films by three female directors, adapted from three literary works by three male writers. This presents an interesting dialogue not only between literature and cinema but also between the perspectives and interpretations of men and women on the same social issue. Through the survey and analysis, the thesis achieves the following results:

- Vietnamese cinema is integrating into the global film industry, and with the rise of feminist cinema, the portrayal of female characters in Vietnamese films has changed compared to the female character archetypes of war films and post-traumatic events.

- Female directors have their own unique styles in adapting literary works into films, particularly in their choice of themes, interpreting social issues through love and marriage; creating female characters who dare to defy established stereotypes and using these very elements to express a powerful feminist discourse.

- Female directors also have their own unique styles in using cinematic language to express feminist discourses in a subtle, skillful, and compelling way.

11. Practical applications: The research findings of this thesis will serve as a reference for studying films by female directors; particularly in terms of poetics, discourse, and cinematic language.

12. Further research directions: None

13. Published works related to the thesis: None.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: NGUYEN THI THUY HANG 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: 29, December, 1973 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 1765/2018/QD-XHNV Dated June 28, 2018, issued by Principal of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University.

6. Changes in academics process: None

7. Official thesis title:Discourse on Women's Rights in Vietnamese Films (References: Mê Thảo – Thời vang bóng (Mê Thao: There Was a Time When), Tâm hồn của mẹ (Mother's Soul), and Đảo của dân ngụ cư (The Way Station).

8. Major: Argument, Cinematic History, Television. 9.Code: 8210232.01

10. Supervisors: Assoc.Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Hung - Literature Unit of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

This research focuses on three individual films of three female directors. Each film was adapted from a corresponding novel composed by a male writer. These works were typical illustrations on expressing social topics using two different languages, literature and film. They also reflected points of views and interpretations of women and men on each social topic. Important findings of this research are summarized as follows:

- Vietnamese art of film currently matches the world's tendency with the predominance of domestic films promoting women's rights. Current models of female characters definitely differ from those in films produced during war- and post-war periods.

- Personal style in adapting a novel to a film of each female director could be considered as a strong discourse on women's rights. It was reflected by her selection of social topic and interpreted through aspects of love and marriage. In addition, female characters were built as ones who are willing to break conventional prejudices.

- Each female director also has a personal style of film language to express discourses on women's rights delicately and convincingly.

12. Practical applicability, if any: This research can be used as a reference in studies on films of female directors and, especially in poetics of discourse using film language.

13. Further research directions, if any: None

14. Thesis – related publications: None.