Contemporary Asian cinema - historical, aesthetic, and stylistic issues.

Since 2005, in the context of innovation and integration in the social sciences and humanities in general, and the arts in particular, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has benefited from a film project funded by the Ford Foundation. Over seven years, this project played a crucial role in training short-term screenwriters and critics, linking research and production activities, and providing opportunities for many staff members to conduct research and exchange ideas with scientists from the United States and other countries in the region, thereby enhancing their professional skills. From these activities, the University has gradually built and developed the Department of Art Studies, and starting from the 2013-2014 academic year, the University was officially assigned the task of training Master's students in Film Theory, History, and Criticism. This is a significant step forward in the University's development towards the goal of building a multidisciplinary research university that connects training with the needs of society.

In this context, the School hosted the seminar "Contemporary Asian Cinema: Historical, Aesthetic and Stylistic Issues" with the hope of contributing to an initial assessment of some of the outstanding achievements and issues of Asian cinematic practice, thereby drawing lessons and implications for research, training and development of cinema in Vietnam.

The workshop focused on analyzing and discussing the following key issues:

- What is the formation, development, outstanding characteristics, and contributions of "Asian cinema," especially from the 1990s to the present? What is the position of Asian cinema in its multifaceted interactions with other film centers around the world (Europe, Hollywood, etc.) and the relationship between film industries in the region?

- Internal issues of Asian cinema: aesthetics and style in film; issues of adaptation/revision of literary and theatrical works; the development of genres; authors with distinctive styles; pressing issues concerning history, politics, culture, identity, etc.

- How can we further enhance exchanges and cooperation with regional cinema? What experiences, suggestions, and proposals can we offer for Vietnamese cinema, aiming for a modern, integrated, and distinctive film industry?

Forty-one scientific papers were presented in two subcommittees: "Issues concerning the history and cinema of the nation" and "Issues concerning aesthetics and authorial style".