The influence of the writer FM Dostoevsky on art in general and our lives in particular remains clearly present until today. His works not only raise universal philosophical, ethical and spiritual issues, but also open up new sources of intertextuality. Therefore, combining the issues raised by Dostoevsky with the intertextualities born from his works can open up a new aspect in the reception of Dostoevsky's legacy. Especially in the context of globalization, looking at how each director, each writer from different countries, cultures and religions receives Dostoevsky can provide us with a new perspective on the issues of our time.
As part of the series of activities commemorating the 200th anniversary of Dostoevsky's birth, the screening of the film My Love and the scientific activity When Dostoevsky "came" to Asia: intertextual travel in literature and cinema aim to introduce an aspect of the reception of Dostoevsky's legacy in Asia - that is, the extension of the vitality of Dostoevsky's ideas in new textual forms, new lives, in new lands outside his homeland.
Speaking at the event, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Xuan Thach - Head of the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities said: "We are very honored to organize this special event to contribute to a deeper understanding of the values of Dostoevsky and his imprints in literary life in particular and in artistic life in general. In contemporary life, we see that Dostoevsky still lives in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, continues to have influences as well as very unique receptions."
Attending the event, Director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Hanoi VVStepanov especially appreciated the significance of this activity: "The activities of Hanoi National University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular contribute to developing mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia".
The film My Love screened at the event was adapted from F. Dostoevsky’s White Nights. Within the framework of the discussion, speakers and guests discussed the potential for adaptation of the story, changes in the process of adapting the story into a film, the film’s cinematic language, etc.
According to MSc. Le Thi Tuan (Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities) - speaker of the event, "White Nights is the most adapted work of Dostoevsky in the genre of novellas and short stories". According to MSc. Le Tuan, the potential for adapting the story comes from many aspects: the universality of the theme, the problematic character type, the coherence of events in a simple plot and the open, non-stereotypical theme. Therefore, "Dostoevsky's story can be suitable for any era, any culture". The event's guest, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Gia Lam added that the potential for adapting Dostoevsky's works lies in the characteristics of the Russian feminine soul in his works. "People need to be loved, need to be sympathized, need to be shared. And it is the original feminine nature that elevates people".
Talking about the film My Love, the speaker of the event, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Phuong (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City) said that besides the success in building a love story full of emotions, the Indian film also recreates the dreamer character, which is very famous in Dostoevsky's works: "The dreamer character appeared in Dostoevsky's works in the 1940s. This is a prominent character in Dostoevsky's time: characters who are eager to act, eager to live but are weak and meek. This is an urban character in Dostoevsky's time, and also reflects today's urban problems."
The event's guest, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Tuan Anh, also shared about the issue of love ethics that the film My Love and the short story White Nights raised: "Both director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Dostoevsky paid great attention to the issue of love ethics. And this aspect played a very important role in Dostoevsky's time."
Commenting on the film My love from an intertextual perspective, the speakers and guests especially emphasized the global localization of the film. This is a very popular trend in art today, the combination of local elements with international elements, “in which there are very local harmonies with each other”.
Regarding the characteristics of Dostoyevsky's reception in Asia, Associate Professor, Dr. Do Hai Phong (Faculty of Literature, Hanoi National University of Education) said that the compassion in the Russian writer's works is one of the factors that attracts directors to adapt them. Along with that, the spirit of Buddhism and the humanistic idea of "beauty saving the world" also contribute to Dostoevsky's strong influence. Associate Professor, Dr. Do Hai Phong also discussed the influence of Dostoevsky's works on the works of writer Nguyen Huy Thiep.
With the skillful guidance of host Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhu Trang (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi) and the insightful discussions of the speakers and guests, nearly 300 audiences enjoyed watching the event for 5 consecutive hours. At the end of the event, many viewers expressed their thanks to the Organizing Committee for organizing a "very interesting and meaningful" event.
Dostoyevski's influence not only exists in the writer's time but also extends over time, contributing to his "eternal life"; as Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, head of the event's organizing committee, stated: "Dostoevsky's world of thought is very vast, and it is always expanding and suggesting further discoveries."
