People's Artist Bang Bac Hai, "sound wizard" of Vietnamese cinema, passes away

According to information from his family, People's Artist Bang Bac Hai passed away at 4:15 a.m. on April 5 in Hanoi , after nearly 10 years of fighting cancer. He passed away in the sorrow of his family, relatives and colleagues, at the age of 67.

People's Artist Peng Beihai

During his lifetime, People's Artist Bang Bac Hai was in charge of and participated in making sound for dozens of famous feature films such as "Who will come to visit your house this Tet" (2001) by People's Artist Tran Luc, "Living in fear" (2005) by Bui Thac Chuyen, "Don't burn" (2009) by People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh, "The smell of burning grass" (2012) by Meritorious Artist Nguyen Huu Muoi, “Yen's Life” (2016) by Dinh Tuan Vu, “Peach, Pho and Piano” (2024) by Meritorious Artist Phi Tien Son…

In the field of feature films, People's Artist Bang Bac Hai has also been in charge of hundreds of other television, animation and documentary episodes. Notable among these is the series "Dawn Ahead" (2022) about General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu, directed by Bui Tuan Dung.

Working continuously from the 1980s until now, many people have called him a "sound wizard" thanks to his talent and extensive experience.

The news of artist Bành Bắc Hải’s passing has saddened the film industry. Screenwriter Nguyễn Thị Hồng Ngát (former Deputy Director of the Cinema Department) expressed her condolences to a great sound engineer, commenting that the late artist was a resilient and always cheerful younger brother. Director Bùi Thạch Chương also wrote a farewell: “Goodbye brother”...

Cinematographer - People's Artist Ly Thai Dung worked with his senior Bang Bac Hai in many films, including "Don't Burn." He said that the late artist entered the profession early, when Vietnamese cinema used analog sound, and had received formal training in the Soviet Union, so he quickly caught up with modern digital sound technology, which was recognized by experts.

“The number of films, television series, animations and documentaries that People's Artist Peng Beihai has participated in is huge, about 500-700 episodes and works. He is very talented, quickly learning digital audio technology to reach international standards.

He was also one of the founders of the Sound and Film Editing Department of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, especially when Vietnam was lacking in technology, facilities and training. He was a great colleague of Vietnamese cinema artists" - People's Artist Ly Thai Dung shared.

Mr. Bang Bac Hai (blue shirt) in 1976 before going to study in the Soviet Union. (Photo: Family provided)

His sister, Screenwriter Bang Mai Phuong, said her heart was broken by her brother's passing. She and People's Artist Bang Bac Hai grew up together, worked together at the Vietnam Feature Film Studio (4 Thuy Khue), and shared many joys and sorrows in life.

“I used to do the sound for some feature films that you wrote the script or edited. But it was only with the documentary 'Born in 1972' that we officially collaborated. Everything the film achieved was thanks to your efforts. Now I no longer have the opportunity to ask for your help. For every big or small matter, you help me. Even the portrait for the yearbook, you had to edit and choose for me. The yearbook hasn't been printed yet, but where are you now...” Mrs. Phuong said sadly.

People's Artist Bang Bac Hai was born in 1958, from Bac Giang , the son and nephew of two screenwriters Bang Bao and Bang Chau. He is the second child in the family, besides screenwriter Bang Mai Phuong, he also has a younger sister.

People's Artist Bang Bac Hai was trained in sound at the LIKI Film University (former Soviet Union), then worked at the Vietnam Feature Film Studio, in charge of the Sound Recording and Film Editing Studio. Before retiring, he worked at the Hanoi University of Theatre and Cinema, as Deputy Dean in charge of the Film Technology Department.

Throughout his career, the late artist Bang Bac Hai won the Golden Kite Award for Best Sound for many films, notably “Don’t Burn” (analog sound) which won the Golden Kite Award in 2010, and “Those Who Write Legend” (digital sound) which won the Golden Kite Award in 2014. In addition, the late artist also received two Golden Lotus Awards for sound design at the 17th Vietnam Film Festival. He was awarded the title of People’s Artist in 2015./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nsnd-banh-bac-hai-phu-thuy-am-thanh-cua-dien-anh-viet-nam-qua-doi-post1025106.vnp