In his speech,  Ambassador Thang underlined that cinema is among the most effective channels for strengthening exchanges between the two nations, as images and storytelling are key to mutual understanding. He noted that each screening will serve as “a window” into different moments of Vietnamese life through the language of film.

He added that the event carries greater significance as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, the 50th anniversary of Reunification, and the 130th anniversary of world cinema. The Ambassador also highlighted that several films in the program were produced in partnership with French collaborators or supported by the French National Centre of Cinema(CNC), thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of bilateral cultural cooperation.

Joining from Hanoi, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan said the theme “Journey of Light” captures the path of Vietnamese cinema from the years of national defence, through the postwar and reform periods, to the contemporary era as Vietnam steps further onto the global stage.

She emphasized that the 17 films featured in the program span 50 years of creativity from 1975 to 2025, including works honored at international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Busan, and Nantes. Iconic titles familiar to generations of viewers, such as Cánh Đồng Hoang (The Abandoned Field: Free Fire Zone) by People’s Artist Nguyễn Hồng Sến, Bao Giờ Cho Đến Tháng Mười (When the Tenth Month Comes) by People’s Artist Đặng Nhật Minh and Tướng Về Hưu (The Retired General) by People’s Artist Nguyen Khac Loi, continue to affirm Vietnamese cinema’s standing in the wider artistic landscape.

Discussing the project’s message, Prof. Nguyen Duc Khuong, President of the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE) Global stressed that “Journey of Light” is not merely a cultural showcase but also a bridge of emotion, knowledge, and national pride. He said the selected films present a modern, dynamic, and humane Vietnam that inspires audiences, where past and present intersect to shape a prosperous and sustainable future. He hoped the initiative would spark creativity across other cultural domains including theater, cuisine, fashion, and visual arts.

French director Flavien Dupont remarked that Vietnamese cinema stands out through its distinctive ways of conveying emotion and perspective, which differ from his experiences with Korean or Chinese films. He said cinema’s strength lies in its ability to introduce a culture to unfamiliar audiences through imagery, sound, and feeling.

The Vietnam Film Week-Journey of Light will take place from December 5-12, at Le Grand Rex, Europe’s largest cinema. The program will feature 17 works, including feature films, documentaries, and shorts, produced after 1975, with several premieres in Europe.

Alongside the screenings, there will also be a panoramic photo exhibition on Vietnamese cinema, public dialogues with young filmmakers, a Vietnam–France cinema cooperation seminar, special screenings, and the opening and closing ceremonies at Le Grand Rex and Pathé Palace.

The event marks the opening of the cultural series “Vietnam – A Symphony of Love” initiated by AVSE Global, with a view to promoting Vietnamese culture internationally through creative and substantial approaches. It also shows the shared commitment of intellectuals, artists, and cultural activists to introduce Vietnam to global audiences.

Vietnamese culture, art, cuisine, music honoured in France

The 34th Festival Changé d’Air, themed “Vietnam – Culture, Art, Cuisine, Music and Life”, opened at Le Rabelais Cultural Centre in Changé city, Sarthe department of France, on November 6.

Six films to be screened during Vietnamese film week in France

VOV.VN - A Vietnamese film week is scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from December 5 to 12, showcasing six notable films spanning from the 1970s to the present day, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.