Connecting history with cinema: Opportunities for cultural industry development

Leaders of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, delegates, and guests attending the seminar. PHOTO: HOANG TRIEU

The seminar was coordinated with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), and BHD Company, with the attendance of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports; Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Head of Culture at the UNESCO Office in Vietnam; Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, Secretary General of the HCMC Association of Historical Sciences;...

The seminar focused on discussing solutions for integrating heritage values into cinema, ranging from film production practices to policy orientation and the development of a cultural-tourism ecosystem. This is a key event in the “Golden Imprints - Fragments of 10th Century Vietnamese Culture” cultural and film series, featuring the film "Ho Linh Trang Si - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb," running from September 5 to 10.

The seminar consisted of two in-depth discussion sessions aimed at solving the challenge of connecting heritage with cinema from both artistic and sustainable policy development perspectives.

The seminar focused on discussing solutions for integrating heritage values into cinema, from film production practices to policy orientation and the development of a cultural-tourism ecosystem. This is a key event in the “Golden Imprints - Fragments of 10th Century Vietnamese Culture” cultural and film series, featuring the film "Ho Linh Trang Si - The Mystery of King Dinh's Tomb," running from September 5 to 10. The seminar consisted of two in-depth discussion sessions aimed at solving the challenge of connecting heritage with cinema from both artistic and sustainable policy development perspectives.

During the first discussion session themed “Developing Cinema in Connection with Heritage Conservation: Sharing Practical Experiences from the Production of the Film 'Ho Linh Trang Si',” historians, art designers, and the film crew discussed interdisciplinary collaboration methods in the process of bringing historical materials to the screen.

The question raised was how to ensure the authenticity of 10th-century historical records while creating a creative space suitable for contemporary cinematic language. Drawing from the experience of 'Ho Linh Trang Si', the seminar also suggested processes for researching and reconstructing traditional costumes, weaponry, and art based on museum artifacts to transform them into vivid images and artistic products on screen.

The first discussion session themed “Developing Cinema in Connection with Heritage Conservation: Sharing Practical Experiences from the Production of the Film 'Ho Linh Trang Si'”. PHOTO: HOANG TRIEU.

Through this, cinema is not only seen as a storytelling method but can also become a bridge to bring heritage closer to the public, especially the younger generation. The “translation” of intangible heritage values through contemporary artistic language is expected to contribute to creating new appeal for national history and culture.

The second discussion session, themed “Opportunities to Integrate Indigenous Culture and Heritage into Cinematic Works of HCMC - A UNESCO City of Film,” focused on solutions from professional and policy perspectives.

The discussion content revolved around the application of Southern Vietnamese traditional arts and costumes in cinematic works; building incentive policies and mechanisms to connect cinema with tourism; and simultaneously exploiting international resources and experience in developing the heritage-film-tourism value chain within the network of creative cities. This is also an approach consistent with the goal of developing cultural industries and promoting HCMC's role in the film sector.

On the morning of September 9, at the HCMC Opera House, a live exchange program also took place between the 'Ho Linh Trang Si' film crew and students. This was an opportunity for students to access documentary excerpts about national cultural heritage and engage directly with the research team, production staff, and artists.

The "Golden Imprints" exhibition is currently taking place at the HCMC Photography Park (Saigon Ward).