TTLV: From ecological memory to landscape narrative in independent cinema of Vietnam and Thailand (the case of the films “Letters from Panduranga” by Nguyen Trinh Thi and “By the time it gets dark” by Anocha Suwichakornpong)

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thi Tram 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: 01/07/1996

4. Place of birth: Quang Ninh

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 3732/QD-XHNV dated December 9, 2022 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes during the training process: Change the thesis topic name due to the reason of adjusting the scientific theoretical framework during the research process according to Decision No. 1170/QD-XHNV dated February 21, 2025 (Old topic name: Landscape, history and trauma in independent cinema of Vietnam and Thailand (case of the films "Letters from Panduranga" by Nguyen Trinh Thi and "By the time it gets dark" by Anocha Suwichakornpong) according to Decision No. 1567/QD-XHNV dated May 15, 2023).

7. Thesis topic: From ecological memory to landscape narrative in independent cinema of Vietnam and Thailand (case of the films “Letters from Panduranga” by Nguyen Trinh Thi and “By the time it gets dark” by Anocha Suwichakornpong)

8. Major: Theory, history of cinema and television; Code: 8210232

9. Scientific advisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Cam Giang, Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis findings: The thesis has examined the relationship between ecological memory, landscape narrative and trauma theory in two independent films from Vietnam and Thailand: “Nhung bo tu Panduranga” by Nguyen Trinh Thi and “By the time it gets dark” by Anocha Suwichakornpong. Through an interdisciplinary theoretical framework including ecological cinema criticism, landscape narrative and trauma theory, the study has shown that cinema is not only a tool to reflect reality but also a creative space where forgotten memories, damaged landscapes and hidden histories are recreated in new ways. From there, the thesis shows that independent cinema from Vietnam and Thailand is not only a playground for artistic experimentation, but also a place for postcolonial, environmental, historical and memory criticism practices. In doing so, the study makes a small contribution to redefining the role of cinema as a form of memory preservation – not just human memory, but also the memory of landscapes and living worlds that are being damaged.

11. Practical applicability: The thesis has connected trauma theory with ecological and film studies, opening up a multidisciplinary approach to Southeast Asian studies. The thesis contributes to the research on independent cinema, ecological memory, and landscape narratives in Southeast Asia, providing a new perspective on the relationship between nature and the urban in a cultural and historical context. The research results can help raise awareness of the importance of nature in preserving cultural and historical memory, thereby supporting environmental protection movements and maintaining cultural heritage in the region.

12. Further research directions: From the research results, the thesis suggests some further directions such as expanding the research to other documentary or contemporary art films in the Southeast Asian region, especially works by female directors and indigenous artists. Applying ecological memory theory and landscape narrative to the analysis of urban cinema, cinema of movement, or intercultural cinema in the context of globalization. Further developing the connection between cinema and other art forms (video art, installation art) in expressing environmental trauma.

13. Published works related to the thesis: “Deconstructing gender through documentaries about ethnic minorities by Nguyen Trinh Thi (the case of Letters from Panduranga)”, International Conference Paper “From the History of the Other: Women and Female Authors in Vietnamese Literature and Cinema”, Nha Trang, October 2023.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Tram 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: July 1, 1996 4. Place of birth: Quang Ninh

5. Admission decision number: No. 3732/QD-XHNV Dated December 9, 2022, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process: Change of thesis title due to adjustments in the theoretical framework during the research process, according to Decision No. 1170/QD-XHNV dated February 21, 2025.

(Former title: Landscape, history, and trauma in independent cinema of Vietnam and Thailand (Case studies: “Letters from Panduranga” by Nguyen Trinh Thi and “By the time it gets dark” by Anocha Suwichakornpong), as per Decision No. 1567/QD-XHNV dated May 15, 2023)

7. Official thesis title: From ecological memory to landscape narrative in independent cinema of Vietnam and Thailand (Case studies: “Letters from Panduranga” by Nguyen Trinh Thi and “By the time it gets dark” by Anocha Suwichakornpong)

8. Major: Theory and History of Film and Television 9. Code: 8210232

10. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cam Giang, Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: The thesis investigates the interrelation between ecological memory, landscape narration, and trauma theory in two Southeast Asian independent films: Letters from Panduranga by Nguyen Trinh Thi and By the Time It Gets Dark by Anocha Suwichakornpong. Through an interdisciplinary theoretical framework - including eco-cinema criticism, landscape narratology, and trauma studies - the research demonstrates that cinema functions not only as a reflective medium of reality but also as a creative space in which forgotten memories, damaged landscapes, and concealed histories are reimagined in new narrative forms. The thesis argues that Vietnamese and Thai independent cinema serves as a critical site for postcolonial, ecological, historical, and mnemonic practices, contributing to the redefinition of cinema as a medium of memory - encompassing not only human memory but also the memory of landscapes and the wounded lifeworld.

12. Practical applicability: The study links trauma theory with ecological and cinematic research, involving a multidisciplinary approach for studies on Southeast Asia. It contributes to the scholarship on independent cinema, ecological memory, and landscape narration in the region, offering new insights into the relationship between nature and the urban within cultural and historical contexts. Its findings may raise public awareness about the role of nature in preserving cultural and historical memory, thereby supporting environmental protection and the maintenance of cultural heritage.

13. Further research directions: Building on the current findings, future research may expand to contemporary documentaries or art films from Southeast Asia, especially those by female directors or local artists. Ecological memory and landscape narratology could also be applied to studies of urban cinema, diasporic cinema, or intercultural cinema in the context of globalization. Further exploration is suggested on the connections between cinema and other art forms (eg, video art, installation art) in expressing ecological trauma.

14. Thesis-related publications: “Deconstructing Gender through Documentary Films on Ethnic Minorities by Nguyen Trinh Thi (Case Study: Letters from Panduranga)”, presented at the International Conference From the History of the Other: Women and Female Authors in Vietnamese Literature and Cinema, Nha Trang, October 2023.