War, with all the tragic and heroic echoes it leaves behind, has become an indelible part of the nation's history. Filmmaking about war, or any film about collective memory, has never been an easy experience for either viewers or filmmakers.
Because cinema is not just a way of recording events, but also a constant reflection on the experiences of war. At each point in time, war cinema takes on a different mindset. Beyond its epic resonance, contemporary Vietnamese cinema explores war from multiple perspectives, delving into existential experiences, engaging in dialogue with collective memory, and reflecting on the poignant aftermath of war. This shift in approach is what gives contemporary cinema its unique depth in re-presenting war memories.
With his narrative style and aesthetic of humility, director Bui Thac Chuyen has created a tranquil, unpretentious film about sacrifice, the cruelty of war, and a world of underground tunnels where the sun never shines. Yet, the people within, those who remain there, find their own little suns, giving them hope and memories, ensuring they will never be forgotten in their own minds and in the memories of future generations.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975, and the premiere of the film "Underground Tunnels," the Department of Art Studies (Faculty of Literature) & the Student Union - Student Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities are organizing a seminar and exchange event titled "THE FILM 'UNDERGROUND TUNNELS' AND THE RECREATION OF WAR MEMORIES IN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA." The event aims to provide an opportunity for lecturers, students, and trainees of the Faculty (especially students of the K69 Film and Popular Arts cohort) to learn about war-themed films and to interact and converse with one of the most creative directors of contemporary Vietnamese cinema.
Event Information: Panel Discussion on the film "Tunnels and the Reenactment of War Memories in Contemporary Cinema".
Time: 9:00 – 11:00, Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Location: Auditorium on the 8th floor of Building E, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 336 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
Speaker: Director Bui Thac Chuyen - Lecturer Tran Hinh
Commentator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Gia Lam (Former Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities)
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cam Giang (Head of the Department of Art Studies)
This event is completely FREE and non-profit, for educational and research purposes related to cinema, and is open to all students, trainees, staff, and film enthusiasts.
Interested audience members are kindly requested to register for the event via the following link:
https://forms.gle/LahNrtnGsdCV2Gku8
