The composer of the soundtrack of the movie "Tunnel" did not take a salary because the movie was so meaningful.

Musician Hua Kim Tuyen at the film premiere in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: FBNV

Not only is it the background music for the end credits of the movie Tunnels , the song It is also a proud summary of the resilient struggle of ordinary people who became underground soldiers in Cu Chi.

Talking to Tuoi Tre , Hua Kim Tuyen told about the backstage with much joy and pride when being a part of the Tunnels . The song is like an incense stick to thank and be grateful to the predecessors who fought and died for the independence and unification of this country.

Song Sun in the Dark

Artist Cao Minh and Diem Hang Lamoo sing like they are possessed.

Hua Kim Tuyen said that in early March, the crew contacted Tuyen. As a lover of culture and history, when he received that phone call, he immediately accepted. The production time was very urgent, it felt like an "arms race". Tuyen only had 13 days from accepting the offer until he had to submit the film file for approval.

Tuyen said there were two options for the soundtrack: One was a song with a Southern folk melody. The other was a heroic, grandiose song like many other red songs.

Tuyen leaned towards the first option, because he thought "the war had been over for half a century, so everything should be easy". Luckily, the idea received support from the crew.

Tunnels becomes the highest-grossing war-themed film in Vietnamese cinema - Photo: Producer

"The writing process was very quick, but before that Tuyen spent a lot of effort researching revolutionary music, music with Southern folk melodies, typical of Southern melodies...

Tuyen's father was addicted to traditional music, so when Tuyen was little, he often took her to listen to music in Hoc Mon, Cu Chi. When I look back, I remember a lot of memories," Tuyen shared.

"In the film, Ut Kho is also a character who loves to sing, especially vọng cổ, always chirping like a lark. If artist Cao Minh sings to highlight the heroic tragedy, then the part performed by Diem Hang Lamoon turns to a folk song color.

The recording process was also very quick. In the studio, the two actors sang like they were possessed. Each person recorded for about an hour, plus two hours for the chorus and it was done."

Make money anytime and anywhere

The musician said he belongs to the 9x generation so he chose to write with the mood of someone who finished watching the movie and the mindset of someone half a century later.

Musician Hua Kim Tuyen - Photo: FBNV

"Tuyền's grandmother was a guerrilla fighter in the past. Her house had a secret bunker for soldiers to take shelter in," Tuyền said. The tunnel is an opportunity for her to connect with the legacy of the previous generation, of her ancestors.

Hua Kim Tuyen shared that writing a song to honor the contributions of those who came before, and having the song resonate with a meaningful movie, is a happiness for him, not every young person has the opportunity.

Tuoi Tre was curious about the song's salary, Tuyen frankly said he understood that the Tunnels was a historical, war film. Private investment in making such a film was very costly and risky.

Tuyen is very sympathetic so he doesn't take any salary. He believes that money is important but can be earned anytime and anywhere. As for Tunnels , money can't buy opportunity, so with this spirit, just do it happily.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tac-gia-nhac-phim-dia-dao-khong-lay-cat-xe-vi-phim-qua-y-nghia-20250412095011323.htm