Young people spread the historical autumn: Awakening the past with technology

New journey of old films

In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out globally, many social activities were suspended, and Vien Hong Quang (living in Hanoi ) accidentally came across a research project by a group of foreign students on applying AI to colorize old photos. With a background in information technology, Quang quickly saw the possibility of applying this technology to recreate historical moments of his country.

At first it was just a few test photos, but with the thought that "each film is just a series of consecutive images", Quang boldly experimented with recreating a documentary.

In May 2020, a 6-minute color film restored from a black-and-white film of President Ho Chi Minh 's interview in French in 1966 was introduced. This was his first complete product, immediately causing a strong resonance and spread. From that success, Quang decided to build the project "Common Sense History", with the desire to bring valuable documents back to today's life in a clear, close and vivid way.

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Vien Hong Quang presented Ton Duc Thang Museum with 24 precious restored documentary films about Uncle Ton's revolutionary activities from 1964-1976.

Vien Hong Quang studied information technology, then he switched to the field of film post-production. Looking back, he admits that his decision was not a waste, because the basic knowledge of technology helped him a lot in the process of self-studying, researching and applying new technologies to film restoration.

For him, restoration work is not just about “coloring”, it is an effort to recreate true colors, ensuring the objectivity and honesty of the documents. Each frame is not only clearer visually, but also closer emotionally.

Unlike most young people, Quang finds happiness in reviving old films. For him, every time he puts the black and white version and the restored version side by side to compare, his emotions surge.

“I try to renew old images and videos so that today’s generation can see, understand and appreciate the precious things that the previous generation has entrusted to them,” Quang shared. That is also the deep purpose for him to stick with this dry but meticulous job.

Financial hardship, perseverance for passion

Among the many projects he has done, the film that left the deepest impression on Quang is Parallel 17 - People's War by Dutch director Joris Ivens, filmed in Vinh Linh ( Quang Tri ) in 1968. Starting in 2021, he spent more than two years researching, colorizing, subtitling, and dubbing in many languages from the original French version.

That job was not only a technical challenge but also a spiritual responsibility. He considered it a tribute to director and writer Xuan Phuong - the last remaining member of the film crew that year, as well as a tribute to the people of Vinh Linh who sacrificed their lives in the nation's resistance war.

The new version of the film was introduced in Vinh Linh on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the film's filming. When the film ended, the entire hall stood up and applauded. The tears rolling down the faces of those who remained were priceless rewards, becoming unforgettable memories in Quang's career.

While the technical aspect was a professional challenge, funding was the biggest obstacle. Quang paid for all the projects himself. There were times when “cash ran out and the project was abruptly stopped,” Quang recalls.

However, at those seemingly deadlocked moments, Quang was able to meet historical witnesses, people who had experienced hardships and losses many times greater. From them, he learned how to face difficulties with optimism, considering financial challenges as a test for his entrepreneurial journey.

Quang expressed: "Those experiences helped me mature in my thinking and strengthen my belief in the path I have chosen."

Vien Hong Quang's work does not stop at personal passion. It is a joint effort to preserve national memories, a way for today's generation to show gratitude and spread the precious values of the past. Vien Hong Quang's story is also a vivid proof that: when today's generation knows how to appreciate, create and preserve, history will never be a distant past, but always alive, present, illuminating the present and guiding the future.

BLUE

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-tre-lan-toa-mua-thu-lich-su-danh-thuc-qua-khu-bang-cong-nghe-post810498.html