With its realistic and touching footage, “My Grandmother, My Mother, My Sisters” won the hearts of the audience and the jury, helping the film win the A Prize at the 2024 National Press Award on Gender Equality. This is a worthy success for the efforts of director Thuy Anh and the film crew of the Documentary Center, Vietnam Television.
Director Thuy Anh (in blue ao dai) at the 2024 National Press Awards on Gender Equality. (Photo: VTV)
Light of Memory
The warm voice and deep eyes of People's Artist Hoang Cuc are like a key that opens the door of time, taking the audience back in time to the glorious days of a stage star. Each story she tells, each memory she shares is like a shimmering film that shines brightly in the sky of memories.
The resounding successes of an artist are admired by many, but besides that, the pain, loss as well as the cold colors create a full and true picture of life. Despite going through many ups and downs, the artist's soul in her always maintains humility and optimism. The flame of passion for art always burns brightly, illuminating the path ahead.
People's Artist Hoang Cuc.
Through her story, People's Artist Hoang Cuc has inspired many generations of artists, affirming that art is not only a joy but also a journey of self-discovery and life.
Author Thuy Anh shared: “I always want to bring the most authentic things into the film in the most delicate way. The gentle morning sunlight filtered through the window, covering the face of People's Artist Hoang Cuc with a warm halo.
Her eyes, deep and full, seemed to shine with that light, reflecting a soul that was always full of passion. Every frame in the film was meticulously crafted, from the camera angle, lighting to color, to create an emotional visual experience for the audience. We wanted the audience to not only watch the film but also feel the emotions of the characters, as if they were living with them.”
Journey back from the battlefield
After years of war, veteran Bao Hien returned to civilian life with wounds not only on her body but also in her soul. But she did not give up. With extraordinary determination, she gradually overcame difficulties and rebuilt her life. Like a seed sown in barren soil, she made constant efforts to sprout and grow, becoming a successful businesswoman.
Veteran Bao Hien.
Her story is like a beacon of light for young souls, especially those who have experienced loss and pain. It conveys a message of the will to live, of faith in the future. Her image, with eyes shining with resilience and determination, has become an endless source of inspiration for many generations.
To make this documentary, the Documentary Center crew spent a month traveling to the following locations: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Ha Nam and Yen Bai. During the filming process, the weather and landslides after the storm brought many obstacles to the crew…
“But that is not the biggest difficulty,” said journalist Thuy Anh.
The author believes that it is important to find a philosophy of life, lessons, good directions and simple messages for the characters' journeys. During the process of making the film, the female director realized that good comes from the heart instead of from great things. "Standing from the perspective of an observer and especially a film director, I am forced to find the hidden messages behind their journeys," Thuy Anh shared.
The Hmong Girl's Dream
Sung Thi So, a small Hmong girl, has a big dream: to go to school and learn to read and write. In a society where girls are often constrained by traditional norms, pursuing that dream is a thorny journey for So. Caught up in the vortex of wife-catching three times, So has never given up. With an iron will, the young girl has risen up, breaking through barriers to reach the university lecture hall.
Director Thuy Anh said that her childhood witnessed domestic violence and the beatings her mother had to endure. Sister shared her dream of becoming a lawyer to protect women like her mother, which moved her and the crew greatly. Sister has not only changed her own fate but also become a symbol of rising up, of the desire for freedom and gender equality.
Sung Thi So.
To get the real and touching footage of Sung Thi So, the film crew had to work with special sensitivity. Like paparazzi, they followed every step of So, capturing the most authentic and vivid moments. Each frame contained stories, emotions, and became indispensable pieces to create a complete picture of this young girl's life.
Thuy Anh confided: Writing the script for “My Grandmother, My Mother, My Sisters” was like knitting a colorful tapestry. Each character is a separate thread, but how to weave them into a complete picture, without losing the individual beauty of each thread? That was a big challenge.
“Each character is a separate piece, carrying a unique story. If we only told each story one by one, the film would be disjointed and lack connection. I want to create a complete picture, reflecting the diverse aspects of the lives of Vietnamese women,” she said.
“I chose a few verses from “Cúc’s Epic” by People’s Artist Hoàng Cúc as a bridge. Those verses are like invisible threads connecting the past and the present, creating a cycle of life. I believe that, in this way, the audience will easily feel the intersection between generations, between different fates, but all towards a common value: that is the will to live, the aspiration to rise up. “, director Thuy Anh shared.
Please keep smiling
To keep love from fading away and becoming sad
The bird sings every morning when it wakes up
There is love we send to each other.
(Excerpt from The Long Song of Chrysanthemum)
Hoang Anh
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