"The Returnee": Echoes of War and Faces of Peace

The event was organized as a tribute to the soldiers who lived and dedicated their lives to the nation's independence. After the film screening, a panel discussion took place on post-war war literature and the challenges of adapting these works to the screen.

"The Returnee" is based on the short story "The Woman at Chau Riverbank" by writer Suong Nguyet Minh. The film tells the story of post-war life intertwined 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 with new "battles."

The film screening event attracted considerable interest from students from various disciplines and universities. Photo: Nguyen Tram

Attending the film screening and discussion were lecturers and veterans from the Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi - teachers who returned from the battlefield; the author of the short story "The Man at Chau Riverbank" - writer Suong Nguyet Minh; and the representative of the film crew of "The Returnee" (People's Army Film Studio), Deputy Director Nguyen Quang Quyet. The program also included representatives from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Literature and lecturers from various generations and departments within the Faculty.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Hoang, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Literature, expressed her gratitude to the Film Club (Department of Art Studies) for their initiative in organizing this meaningful event. She also expressed her admiration for the poetic story of writer Suong Nguyet Minh, a story that has inspired many Vietnamese directors. In particular, she expressed her respect for the living witnesses – the veteran teachers who went through the war, contributed to the cause of national liberation, and returned to develop the Faculty of Literature today.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Hoang delivered the opening remarks at the film screening. Photo: Nguyen Tram.

In the panel discussion following the screening, Mr. Nguyen Ba Thanh commented: "The film successfully portrayed both the somber and heroic atmosphere of those unforgettable days." Mr. Pham Thanh Hung also expressed: "'The Returnee' evokes the atmosphere of setting out when the battlefield calls, helping us veterans rediscover a bygone era with all its heroism and glory."

Discussing the adaptation of the short story "The Man at Chau Riverbank," writer Suong Nguyet Minh views the film not only from the author's perspective but also as a soldier who experienced war. According to him, the film still has some regrettable aspects, failing to fully recreate the wartime setting. However, he also emphasizes that it is difficult to portray war completely.

Writer Sương Nguyệt Minh interacts with the audience. Photo: Nguyễn Trâm

Professor Tran Hinh, in his capacity as a film researcher, also commented: although there are still some inconsistencies and a failure to fully utilize the original literary script, it can still be considered a successful film with a script about May's tragic love story. He also particularly praised the talent of the female director Dang Thai Huyen, born in the 1980s.

Speaking on behalf of the film crew, Assistant Director Nguyen Quang Quyet shared: "When people are too impressed by something, it becomes difficult to accept something else, and this puts pressure on young directors making war films and adaptations. Like other young people born in peacetime, I only know about war through literary works and documentaries. Moreover, filmmaking depends heavily on funding and audience." He emphasized that the deeper he delves into this topic, the more he feels his generation owes an immense debt to history.

Assistant director Nguyen Quang Quyet shared with the students: "Young people at the Faculty of Humanities, especially those who love art, let's work together and explore this topic more thoroughly; because this subject matter is extremely vast." Photo: Nguyen Tram

The screening of the film "The Returnee" and the panel discussion "Literature and Cinema in the Post-War Era" helped the audience gain a deeper understanding of war, thereby appreciating the fallen soldiers and cherishing even more those fortunate enough to return. It was the pain and loss that made them look towards the future and live more beautifully and meaningfully.

The students expressed their emotions after the screening. Photo: Nguyen Tram

The film's impact, as well as the thought-provoking discussions at the seminar, will undoubtedly linger in the audience's minds for a long time. According to Ms. Hoang Cam Giang, Head of the Art Studies Department: "War cinema and literature will continue to accompany the younger generation for a long time, because the questions of the past will always be present and become answers for the present and the future."