Challenges of making historical films

(Fatherland) - On the morning of November 9, within the framework of the 7th Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF VII), a workshop on developing film production exploiting historical themes and adapted from literary works took place. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, Head of the Steering Committee of HANIFF VII attended the workshop.

Filmmakers are scared and holding themselves back

According to writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, there are two cinemas that have successfully adapted literature into movies: China and the United States. At the same time, China is also the cinema with the most successful historical films in the world.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thieu pointed out that the challenges in making historical films and adapting literary works into cinematographic works come from many sides, including from the literary works themselves, from viewers, from filmmakers and managers. "Sometimes filmmakers respect literary works too much (for film adaptations) or are too vague with historical figures, which hinders creativity. We must have the right to create a creative space for that historical figure or period. In Vietnam, there are many talented filmmakers who make excellent films, but historical themes are limited. We lack creativity or do not dare to judge history. We are limited in art and thinking. We are afraid and hinder ourselves" - Mr. Nguyen Quang Thieu commented.

Conference Scene

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thieu cited an example, why did China make the whole world know about Quan Vu but Vietnamese people do not know and love Quang Trung? Because we do not dare to create, do not dare to build the image of King Quang Trung, a talented king of great stature at that time.

Sharing the same opinion, director Charlie Nguyen added that he himself was also scared and confused when approaching this topic, although many people embraced the extremely attractive historical film project. Many people received historical films as a documentary, which would tie the filmmaker's hands and feet.

"Looking at a historical film as a work of art, not history, to have a correct view of historical cinema. The journey of making historical films must turn historical people into people with emotions, inner lives, and spiritual lives. If we demand that a film must be exactly like history, then there will only be history, no cinema" - said director Charlie Nguyen.

In addition to the creative challenges, the capital for making historical films is also very large to invest in settings and costumes. Many filmmakers jokingly say that before making a film, they still have a house, but after making a film, they "lose their house".

Producer Trinh Hoan shared that when making historical films, many filmmakers have many scripts about history, especially the Nguyen Dynasty, but the investment is expensive, so it is difficult to call for capital.

Writer Nguyen Quang Thieu shares at the Workshop

Producer Trinh Hoan also mentioned the second difficulty in making historical films, besides capital, is public interest. How to attract the public while still ensuring historical and creative values. "While making modern films requires little investment and easy capital recovery, historical films are difficult to make, difficult to attract audiences, and require a lot of investment but difficult to recover capital. That makes it difficult for us to convince investors."

Without encouragement and support from the State, it is difficult for filmmakers to invest in historical themes. "We need many things, from settings, studios, costumes, props... Each dynasty has its own characteristics, there must be research and unification for each dynasty. If there is encouragement from the State, investment in warehouses to store costumes and props of the same dynasty, historical period to serve film crews, it will stimulate creativity" - Producer Trinh Hoan said.

Also according to Producer Trinh Hoan, recently, the draft revised VAT Law also proposed to increase VAT on cinema and sports products from 5% to 10%, which I find unreasonable. "Making a film from the time of investment to the time of capital recovery takes at least 1 year. Investors spend 20 billion but if the tax has to increase to 21 billion, they will stop immediately, they will not invest anymore. We propose that the National Assembly review the draft VAT Law, otherwise it will be difficult for the cinema industry, even more difficult for historical films and high-risk films. If lawmakers want cinema to develop, especially historical and cultural products, they must review the increase in VAT" - Producer Trinh Hoan suggested.

Need support from policies and management agencies

According to Chinese producer and director Qian Zhongyuan, Production Director of As One Production, one of the advantages of Chinese cinema is adapting literary works and historical films, including many famous adapted films and television works such as Water Margin, Journey to the West...

Mr. Tien Trong Vien shared at the Workshop

Mr. Tien Trong Vien said that Chinese audiences love historical films, but because audiences are so knowledgeable about history, making historical films is also a big challenge, requiring filmmakers to be creative to attract viewers to the theater.

Mr. Tien Trong Vien shared his experience in making historical films in China: "In the process of making films and choosing works, there must be a specific process. For example, Truong An Tam Van Li has a theme about poet Li Bai, we had to do a lot of research to come up with a complete work. The positive wave is that young people have come back to learn and read Tang Dynasty poetry after watching the film. Last year, we also had the work Phong Than. These two films were successful because on the basis of literature, the crew was creative and changed to bring the work closer to the public."

Mr. Tien Trong Vien also said that the Chinese Government and its agencies and ministries have very good support policies for historical filmmakers.

"When we make films based on historical themes and adapt literature, we receive a lot of support from units, ministries, departments and the Government. Historical experts will support and analyze for us the smallest historical details. The second thing is the financial resources, we receive from the Government and local levels, the cities where we film are all enthusiastically supported. Starting from writing the script, planning, surveying the filming locations... we all receive financial support. The most important thing is the process of filming and making films locally, which will be enthusiastically supported by the local authorities. Last year, we filmed Decoding in Zhejiang, and received enthusiastic support from the local authorities to complete the film. Because we hope that when filming in scenic spots with many tourists or national reserves, without the help of the local authorities, we cannot complete the filming scene" - Mr. Tien Trong Vien said.

Director Charlie Nguyen shares at the Workshop

Explaining why the film production is supported like this, Mr. Tien Trong Vien said that filming historical films promotes local tourism development, so the Chinese Government and localities are very supportive of films being filmed locally. There are many support policies and there are documents guiding localities in their support and there are public instructions on local websites.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, said: "Historical films will have to be an important film genre for the country. We always want to have films for the Vietnamese people, for the Vietnamese people. How can the films convey cultural, historical and political messages? There are many reasons hindering the development of Vietnamese historical films. Respecting history is a moral responsibility for everyone, especially artists. We have many policies to encourage this film genre," Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son said.

According to Mr. Bui Hoai Son, the State, through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has a policy to create favorable conditions for historical films by placing orders and organizing creative camps to produce high-quality works./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/nhung-thach-thuc-khi-lam-phim-lich-su-20241109174217051.htm