Cinema about revolutionary war:

The work was not only highly appreciated by experts but also warmly received by the public, making a strong impression at the box office. This opened up new hope for cinema on the theme of revolutionary war to thrive.

Proud of Vietnamese cinema "blockbuster"

A scene from the film “Tunnels: Sun in the Dark” by director Bui Thac Chuyen. Photo: DPCC

“Tunnel: Sun in the Dark” written and directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, produced by HK Film and distributed by Galaxy Studio, is a key film work aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's peaceful reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The film is set in 1967, when the Vietnam War was increasingly fierce. The 21-man guerrilla team led by Bay Theo at Binh An Dong base became the US military's number 1 search and destroy target when they were assigned to protect a new strategic intelligence group that had just taken refuge at the base at all costs.

The film officially premiered on April 4 at cinemas nationwide. However, right before the early screening at 7pm on April 2, the film created a “wave” when it sold 60,000 tickets. The film also went straight to the top of the Vietnamese cinema revenue on the first day, reaching 11.5 billion VND (according to Boxoffice Vietnam). This opening not only affirmed the film’s strong appeal but also signaled that this is one of the “blockbuster” Vietnamese films this year.

“Tunnels: Sun in the Dark” was an outstanding success because it brought viewers into the war and daily life of guerrillas in the Cu Chi tunnels - a steadfast revolutionary base during the resistance war against the US. The selfless acting of actors Thai Hoa, Quang Tuan, Ho Thu Anh... or Meritorious Artist Cao Minh, brought a realistic image of the Cu Chi guerrillas of the past. Not only exploiting the tense war element, the film also portrayed comradeship, patriotism and an emotional indomitable spirit. The work mobilized many heavy weapons that the US used in the war in South Vietnam at that time, so the confrontations between the professional US army and the “barefoot and steel-willed” Cu Chi guerrillas were convincing and engaging. The sound, music, smoke and fire effects and cinematic techniques blended together extremely well, satisfying the audience's eyes and ears.

Enjoying “Tunnels: Sun in the Dark”, Chairman of the Vietnam Cinema Association Do Lenh Hung Tu expressed: “From the model of living witnesses who are veterans and stories belonging to heroic memories that have been researched, the scriptwriter and director Bui Thac Chuyen told the tragic story through the screen, with many segments that made the audience cry and laugh; many segments that made the audience suffocate because of suspense and tension”. Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh commented: “The special point in the film is that the element of life is as strong as the fierceness of the battlefield. The small details of the pursuit of everyday life are gracefully integrated, humorous enough and also touching”.

Open the way for revolutionary war films

The phenomenon of “Tunnel: Sun in the Dark” reminds us of the “fever” of the movie “Peach, Pho and Piano” in 2024 with long lines of young audiences lining up to buy tickets. Therefore, it cannot be said that movies about revolutionary war are dry and difficult to attract.

The main actor Thai Hoa plays Bay Theo, the commander of the guerrilla team at Binh An Dong base. Photo: DPCC

But to make a successful film about this topic is not simple. Director Bui Thac Chuyen confided that he has been thinking about this project for 11 years, since making a 3D short film about Cu Chi tunnels in 2014. The director spent a lot of time meeting and talking with former Cu Chi guerrillas. The film crew spent 12 months preparing and 12 months filming and completing the work. Preparing the scene took a lot of time, including creating a large tunnel to be able to film scenes depicting both daily life and intense, life-and-death battles of Cu Chi guerrillas. When transforming into the brave, courageous, and fearless Cu Chi guerrillas of that time, the actors had to lose weight and undergo two months of rigorous training at the training ground on politics and military skills.

In particular, “Tunnels: Sun in the Dark” is the first feature film about the revolutionary war that does not use the state budget. Businessman Nguyen Thanh Nam, a member who contributed funds to make this film, shared: “We want to contribute to making young people interested in, learning about and contemplating the Vietnam War, and at the same time introducing the international community to a correct perspective on the Vietnam War. If the film is commercially successful, it will continue to create interest among investors in films about the revolutionary war.”

The film's viral effect also lies in its methodical and scientific communication strategy, creating a "wave" of urging people to watch the film across all social media platforms. Even the setting so that each booked seat displays the red flag with a yellow star symbol, creating brilliant images on the platforms, arousing pride in the audience.

In the near future, the revolutionary war theme will include the film “Red Rain” directed by Dang Thai Huyen, produced by the People’s Army Cinema, about the 81 days and nights of defending Quang Tri Citadel in 1972, scheduled to be released on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2. This is also a work with a large and elaborate investment, so it is also expected to leave its mark on Vietnamese cinema, contributing to the breakthrough of films on the theme of revolutionary war.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dien-anh-ve-de-tai-chien-tranh-cach-mang-suc-bat-tu-hien-tuong-phim-dia-dao-698048.html