This is one of the activities aimed at innovating teaching methods, providing students with a more vivid and authentic approach to the literary works they have studied in the curriculum. The event also serves as a tribute to the soldiers who lived and dedicated their lives to the nation's independence, reminding the younger generation to always remember the painful yet incredibly heroic years of the nation. After the film screening, attendees listened to presentations on post-war war literature and the adaptation of literary works to the screen.
Attending the film screening and discussion were representatives from the Faculty of Literature and faculty members, the Board of Directors of the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Social Sciences and Humanities; representatives from the film crew of "The Returnee" (Military Film Studio), including director and Meritorious Artist Dang Thai Huyen, and filmmaker Vu Thi Thu Huong; along with a large number of students from the High School for Gifted Students and students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The film "The Returnee" is adapted from the short story "The Man at Chau Riverbank" by writer Suong Nguyet Minh. The film tells the story of the lives of soldiers in the post-war period, interwoven with scenes from the brutal battlefield. The main character is May, a brave female military medic who spent her youth on the battlefield. When peace returns, May quietly returns with both physical and emotional wounds and continues her "battles."
On behalf of the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities, Principal Nguyen Quang Lieu expressed his gratitude to the Literature Faculty's Trade Union and the High School's Trade Union for initiating and organizing this meaningful activity for the school's students. He also shared that this is one of the activities that the school's leadership team is very interested in, aiming to innovate teaching methods and provide students with more diverse and engaging approaches to the content of the Literature, History, and Geography textbooks. Literary works and lessons about national history during the war period have been taught by teachers, but through film, students will have a more intuitive, authentic, and deeply emotional experience. Principal Nguyen Quang Lieu also extended his sincere thanks to director Dang Thai Huyen and others for their participation and for sharing interesting information about the behind-the-scenes making of the film "The Returnee" and the filmmaking process.
The principal of the High School for Social Sciences and Humanities highly appreciated the humanistic values that the film conveyed to the students through its touching story and situations.
Sharing her thoughts at the seminar, Director Dang Thai Huyen said: “Adapting a literary work into a film script is a fairly familiar and convenient approach when an idea, setting, and theme are already available. However, when people are so impressed by a famous literary work, it becomes difficult to accept a different interpretation. This is a huge pressure for young directors, especially in the context of many excellent Vietnamese films on post-war themes. Therefore, how to both capture the value of the literary work and still bring a new feeling that touches the hearts of the audience is a question that the film crew is extremely concerned about.”
Director Dang Thai Huyen shared: "Through the title 'The Returnee,' the film crew wants to tell the story of the fate of people in Vietnamese villages in general during the post-war period, not just confined to a specific location."
Ms. Vu Thi Thu Huong (a student from the K51 Literature Faculty) expressed: "Sitting in the audience watching with the students, I was deeply moved. The film was released exactly 10 years ago, and today, witnessing the applause, the gasps of surprise at unexpected plot twists, and the tears of emotion from the young audience is truly an immeasurable joy. This is a great recognition and encouragement for the dedication of the film crew, from the director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and actors. We hope that through these cinematic works, we can bring to the students – the young audience – the most authentic approach to the tragic yet heroic period of our nation's history; to appreciate and be grateful for the losses and sacrifices of the soldiers on the battlefield as well as in post-war life."
Cinematographer Vu Thi Thu Huong recounts the moving story of the difficulties and hardships faced by the film crew while shooting in the harsh winter weather of Northern Vietnam, with temperatures ranging from 5-8 degrees Celsius, and actors spending hours submerged in water or enduring torrential rain.
After the film ended, students shared their deeply moving feelings about witnessing the physical and mental suffering of the main character. The realistic scenes, blending past and present, the bombings, the wounded soldiers… though not overly frequent, were enough to convey the brutality of the battlefield. The consequences of war still lingered on the bodies and souls of the post-war soldiers, making them feel ashamed and hesitant to embrace new happiness. However, the themes of romantic love, camaraderie, community spirit… and a beautiful ending brought viewers a profound sense of humanistic values. Despite bearing heavy physical and emotional wounds, people still overcome their pain to think about the happiness of others. That is the highest value that every work of literature and film brings to its audience.
Furthermore, the students felt extremely proud that many of the writers, directors, screenwriters, filmmakers, etc., were former students of the school. The experiences shared by these successful individuals helped them learn about interesting careers related to art and film in the future, and determine the field they would like to pursue.
Students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities asked the film crew many questions about the context and the difficulties and challenges in producing a film about the post-war period.
Dr. Nguyen Nam Hoang shared: "I have read the short story 'The Man Returning to Chau River' by writer Suong Nguyet Minh many times, but watching this film by director Dang Thai Huyen still evoked strong emotions. Therefore, we are very grateful to the Board of Directors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Specialized High School for always supporting and creating conditions for students to enjoy many famous cinematic works right on campus, providing vivid material for History and Literature lessons, and at the same time bringing very deep emotions to the students. Meeting and interacting with famous writers, directors, screenwriters, producers, and actors; Many of those present were alumni of the School… This was not only an opportunity for the students to better understand the beauty and value of the artworks and the humanistic messages that the authors wanted to convey, but also provided opportunities for practical application during their studies, as well as job opportunities after graduation.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Hoang (Deputy Head of the Literature Department) highly appreciated the significance of the film screening and thanked the film crew for sharing so much useful information.
Dr. Nguyen Phuong Lien (Faculty of Literature) shared further information about the plan to coordinate between the Faculty of Literature's labor union and the Specialized High School in selecting a film adapted from literary works to be screened at the school in the near future.
Concluding the seminar, on behalf of all students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu once again thanked the film crew and the school's leadership, as well as the Faculty of Literature, for organizing such a meaningful and practical activity, bringing a fresh and lively approach to classroom lessons. “In the future, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Specialized High School will promote this activity, continuing to select suitable films for screening and organizing more seminars and exchanges with the participation of famous writers, literary critics, directors, and actors…” – Rector Nguyen Quang Lieu shared.
