The screenings were attended by a large audience. Through each film, they not only enjoyed art but also entered a space of cultural dialogue. It could be heritage, life, history or human stories. Each film contributed to fostering understanding, evoking empathy and connecting the community.

Many Vietnamese documentaries have affirmed their own identity. “Nghe - The mascot of the Vietnamese people” helps domestic and foreign audiences recognize a purely Vietnamese symbol in contemporary life. “Journey of love” touches people’s hearts through charity trips, reflecting the spirit of sharing in the community. “Ke go - Miracle of the people’s heart” recreates an irrigation project associated with the desire for development after unification. In particular, “Chan troi ro” blends popular music with the heritage of hat xam, showing the intersection between tradition and modernity; besides, it also tells touching stories about the journey to find one’s roots.

Image from the film "Nghe - The Vietnamese mascot". Photo: Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio

From Europe, many films have opened new horizons for Vietnamese audiences. “Paper Mâché: Fano Carnival” takes viewers to the ancient Italian carnival, where the papier-mâché craft has existed for centuries. “Grand Museum” reveals behind-the-scenes of the Vienna Museum of Art History, evoking reflections on heritage preservation and presentation. “Steel in the Veins” tells the story of Liège steelworkers, reflecting the pride and challenges of a working community. “La Roja – Journey to the World’s Crown” or “The Princess” depict the power of football, of cultural symbols, in connecting society.

The common point is that all the films are about people. That is the Mong baby in “Letter to Mother”, the wushu athletes in “The Will of the Champion”, or the image of steel workers in Belgium, Princess Diana of England. Although coming from different cultures, they all evoke sympathy and affirm universal values: Willpower, family love, pride. That is what makes the festival a true cultural bridge.

"Brilliant Horizon" by director Lan Nguyen was inspired by the concert of the same name by singer Ha Anh Tuan and attracted many audiences. Photo: Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio

Mr. Trinh Quang Tung, Deputy Director of the Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, shared: “This year’s festival has innovations in selection, most of the films have won international awards, while Vietnamese films have also achieved success in many domestic competitions. The festival has left many impressions with diverse styles, subtle perspectives, reflecting the breath of life and evoking contemplation about the world around us.”

Audiences not only come to watch the film, but also directly interact, ask questions, and share enthusiastically with the director. That interaction makes each screening a lively cultural forum. From there, documentaries go beyond the professional framework, becoming a bridge to bring the audience closer to the stories of the film characters told by the director.

Among the large audience watching this year's festival, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thanh, a lecturer at Hanoi National University of Education, was the one who did not miss any screening. She said: The films have opened up many new perspectives on life, showing that despite differences in skin color or living environment, people everywhere are the same in compassion, love for goodness and beauty, awareness of preserving heritage and pride in victory. For her, the most profound thing is the humanistic and educational values ​​that the festival conveys: Reminding everyone to share, help the disadvantaged, respect filial piety to grandparents, parents and love for homeland and country.

THU BICH NGOC

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/cau-noi-van-hoa-qua-nhung-thuoc-phim-tai-lieu-846957