From a Journalism student who loved making films, up to now, Ha Thai (real name is Bui Thi Ha, former student of K53, Faculty of Journalism and Communication - University of Social Sciences and Humanities) has won two awards at the Golden Lotus Film Festival 2011 and the Silver Kite Award for short films 2012.
“Debt” – a film that truly reflects the daily life and the concerns and anguish of Meritorious Artist, singer Bach Van with the preservation and development of the art of Ca Tru – received the Silver Kite Award for the best short film within the framework of the 2012 Golden Kite Award. This award was a surprise to the author herself because few people knew that this was only the second film Ha Thai had officially made, and was also her graduation film from the university majoring in Journalism and Communications in 2012.
Since childhood, despite her small and gentle appearance, Ha Thai has loved journalism, an attractive but challenging career. She dreamed of becoming a female reporter, holding a camera and wandering all over the roads to capture the most beautiful and vivid images of the people and landscapes of her homeland. When she grew up, Ha Thai wanted journalism to help her promote good people, good deeds and condemn negative phenomena in society. Ha Thai entered the university gate with such good intentions and wishes.
Ha Thai
Journalism is indeed a vast field that allows this curious and adventurous girl to “struggle”. She is especially attracted to television and movies, because she deeply feels the values of images in telling a story that touches the hearts of viewers. In her third year of university, Ha Thai took the exam and was accepted into the We Make Films Project of the Center for Supporting and Developing Cinema Talents (TPD), and was also accepted to become a collaborator of the Center for Journalism and Media Profession (CMP) of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Combining practical work at both TPD and CMP has made Ha Thai confident and increasingly affirmed her love for filmmaking. “Everyday images when projected on the screen always have an indescribable beauty, when combined with music and re-spliced through staging, the initially very ordinary images become meaningful” – Ha Thai shared. Each film is a slice of life reflected through the lens of understanding, emotion, and soul of the filmmaker. Creativity and personal imprint are clearly shown throughout the production process. That is the most attractive point for the dynamic and individualistic Journalism student. Ha Thai has learned how to combine the topicality and problematic nature of journalism with the artistic beauty in each work. But she also realizes the harshness and hardship of filmmaking. However, Ha Thai is still determined with her choice: “Making a film or television product, no matter how small, takes a lot of effort and passion. But it is a job that never makes me feel bored. To be able to make good, meaningful films about topics that I am passionate about, no matter how difficult it is, I am ready.”
Ha Thai graduated from the project “We make films” with her first film “The Children”. The film is the author’s pure, innocent and affectionate perspective on the simple and honest villagers in Nga Son (Thanh Hoa). The topic was accidentally “captured” by Ha Thai during the days of “wandering” around the countryside with her camera looking for a topic for her graduation film.
Filming for more than a day, then "running" back to TPD to discuss ideas with the lecturer, and when the topic was agreed upon, you immediately took the bus back to your hometown to continue filming. There were days when your mother woke you up early, put on a raincoat, and drove to the character's house, waiting outside just to film the scene where the character opened the door in the most natural way. The feeling was thrilling and extremely interesting. Seeing Ha Thai's hard work and dedication to her first film, her friends even joked: "Filming like this, you must win the Golden Kite Award!"
Surpassing nearly 50 other short documentaries, the film “The Children” won two Golden Lotus Awards at the 2011 Golden Lotus Film Festival for young filmmakers. They were the Best Documentary voted by the Jury and the Best Documentary voted by the audience. The film was selected to be screened (along with 5 other short documentaries) at the award ceremony held at the French Cultural Center in Hanoi (L'Espace). Ha Thai still cannot forget the feeling of joy when his film was screened for the first time in front of hundreds of people, receiving the applause and sympathy of the audience.
Documentary poster Debt
The film “Debt” is another haunting experience for Ha Thai. By chance, he met singer Bach Van and was moved by her passion for the art of Ca Tru. Ha Thai wanted to make a documentary about the daily life of this singer, both as a graduation thesis in Journalism and as a plan to submit it for the Golden Lotus Award in 2012. This was a very difficult decision at that time because there was only one month left to make the film. The character had a lot of weight, if he did not make it “to the fullest”, Ha Thai would feel guilty towards Bach Van herself. “A film that made me feel so many emotions, even now when I think back, I am still afraid of my own determination” – the author said.
For the next month, Ha Thai followed Ms. Bach Van almost every day to film, some days she ate and slept at her house, and followed her activities in Hai Phong, Nghe An... Ms. Bach Van is a singer, on stage she looks carefree and romantic with each song, but in real life, her busy schedule really makes a young person like Ha Thai "respect". The filming time was in the hot summer. There were days when Ha Thai drove to her house at noon when the weather was 39-40 degrees, and when she arrived she "collapsed" because of heatstroke. Many days she was so tired that she didn't dare to rest because she was afraid of missing the most precious images of her in real life. Those hardships combined with the stress from being too focused on her thoughts made her lose only 39 kg. Her friends were "afraid" of her perseverance to the point of "stubbornness"!
During post-production, the conflict between her actual ability and her own perfectionism sometimes made Ha Thai sad and disappointed to the point of tears. But she still rushed into editing to complete the film on time. The fifteen minutes of screening the film at the graduation defense ceremony was the time Ha Thai waited anxiously. Then there was a burst of applause. Teachers praised Ha Thai for her professional working attitude and her outstanding efforts. Ms. Bach Van was also present at the defense and shared memories of the time the two of them worked together. Too moved, Ha Thai burst into tears. The feeling of receiving a worthy result after days of hard work was truly happy!
Ha Thai and Meritorious Artist Bach Van at the graduation thesis defense ceremony in 2012.
Now, Ha Thai officially works at the Youth Department of VTV6 channel, Vietnam Television. Looking back at the films she has made and her journey of life and career experiences, Ha Thai feels that she has had a memorable time. Because she has found her passion in life and learned how to pursue that passion.
Sharing more, the young female reporter said that working in the programs "Born from the Village" and "Dream Star" of VTV6, she has the opportunity to collaborate with very interesting young people, funny, qualified and enthusiastic colleagues. They do not live too dependent on money, know how to choose their own way of life - personality and courage - but also have a compassionate view of life. That is a very beautiful lifestyle that Ha Thai wants to aim for. Of course, on her journey, there will still be films: "If tomorrow I come across a good story in everyday life, I will continue to tell it to everyone. Making films is a way for me to learn more from the life around me to improve myself, and it is also a way to help me nurture my emotions and love for this life".