When historical memories come alive from cinema

The historical revolutionary sites in the sacred land of Quang Tri that appeared in the film Red Rain, such as: Quang Tri Citadel, Ta Con Airport, Thach Han River... continue to spread the value of gratitude, contributing to educating revolutionary traditions, arousing national pride, fostering the desire to contribute and the responsibility of the young generation in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

1. The Quang Tri Citadel relic - where every inch of land and brick contains the blood and bones of eighteen and twenty year old soldiers who fell in the heroic 81-day and night battle (from June 28 to September 16, 1972) for the country to rise up - is recreated in the film Red Rain, touching every heart.

From here, the Quang Tri Citadel, once famous throughout the five continents for its fierce destruction by bombs and bullets of war and the indomitable spirit of the Liberation Army soldiers, continues to urge millions of Vietnamese people from all over to return to pay tribute and commemorate the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the beautiful country. Each person has a different mood, but the common point is that everyone wishes to burn incense respectfully to offer to the souls of the martyrs, thereby fostering pride in the heroic and indomitable spirit of our nation.

Mai Thi Thuy Trang, a second-year student at the University of Science (Hue University), said: “After watching Red Rain, some of my classmates and I made a journey to pay our respects to the heroes who are resting at Quang Tri Citadel. When we arrived, we realized that the reality of our ancestors’ war to save the country was much harsher than what was depicted in the film.”

That is also the sentiment of many young people on their journey back to prominent historical sites in the "sacred land" of Quang Tri, including Quang Tri Citadel, Ben Hai River - Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, Route 9 Southern Laos, and sites associated with the Khe Sanh campaign such as Khe Sanh, Ta Con, Lang Vay... these days.

After the movie Red Rain, Ta Con Airport (Quang Tri) became the place many families chose to bring their children to in order to educate them about patriotism. Photo: NGUYEN KHOI

2. The spread of the film Red Rain also urged many people to seek out historical witnesses who are still living in Quang Tri to listen, share and pay their respects.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (born in 1954, currently living in Giang Hen village, Trieu Phong commune, Quang Tri province) is a female guerrilla holding a gun in the famous photo "The old fisherman Trieu Phong and his son carrying soldiers and weapons to support the Citadel" taken by war reporter Doan Cong Tinh on the Thach Han River in the summer of 1972, displayed at the Museum in Quang Tri Citadel. She said that many people, after seeing the image of the brave "O Hong" in the film Red Rain, came to her house with the hope of hearing again the story of the life-and-death ferry trips amid the rain of bombs.

“Listening to every word in every war story told by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu - a living witness of the legend of the Thach Han River in 1972, I felt like I was living in the tragic memories of the nation and the war to protect the Citadel. It was those historical stories that helped me better understand the value of peace that we have,” said Mr. Pham Tan, Giao Hung commune, Ninh Binh province.

Speaking to SGGP reporters, Ms. Cap Thi Thien Trang, Head of the Management Board of the General Secretary Le Duan Memorial Site and Quang Tri Citadel, said that after its release, the film Red Rain has become a bridge, urging many people to visit Quang Tri Citadel and many other revolutionary historical sites in Quang Tri to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs.

With its emotional scenes, Red Rain has touched the hearts of audiences, urging many people to visit the places mentioned in the film to offer incense and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs. In particular, the most positive effect of the film is that the public is not only more interested in this historical evidence but also arouses patriotism, national pride and gratitude for the sacrifices of our ancestors.

In response, we - the people who are directly representing the people of the whole country to take care of, restore and promote the value of revolutionary historical relics - not only consider our daily work as a duty but also a sacred responsibility, contributing to preserving the dignity of the relics, where there is a part of our ancestors' flesh and blood", Ms. Thien Trang emphasized.

According to the independent box office Box Office Vietnam, as of September 18, Red Rain had grossed over VND670 billion. On September 18, the film still held the No. 1 spot on the box office chart. Box Office Vietnam also predicted that Red Rain could set a new record in revenue with VND700 billion (equivalent to USD26 million) because the film has been well received by audiences so far.

VAN THANG - TIEN NHAT

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khi-ky-uc-lich-su-song-day-tu-dien-anh-post813667.html