Ashui.com

Vietnamese cinema lovers are to be charmed by the British Council’s UK film week which has an eclectic mix of feature, animation and short films set against an ‘urban’ backdrop and titled ‘Urban Tales’ taking place from October 24 to 31 in Hanoi and from November 1 to 7 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of the best and most creative contemporary UK films like ‘Breaking and Entering’ featuring Jude Law and Juliette Binoche, ‘It’s a Free World’ by the world leading film director Ken Loach and ‘Bullet Boy’ will be on show at the film week. In addition we will also be showing two series of short films and one series of animation films. A series of short films by young Vietnamese film makers exploring urban life across Vietnam will also be screened at the event.

‘Through this series of films we will look into the very fabric that makes up urban society and explore some of the common factors affecting everyday lives in our countries. It really is a journey not to be missed and we very much hope that we can make it together‘ said Simon Beardow, Deputy Director of the British Council.

‘All the British films that we are going to show have been written, directed and produced without typical Hollywood size budgets which makes them all the more remarkable. Indeed, many of the films have been nominated for prizes at the BAFTA Film Awards, British Independent Film Awards, the Golden Lion Award at Venice Film Festival’ he added.

All film will be screened with Vietnamese Voice-over or in original language at the National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha and  the Hanoi Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi and Galaxy Cinema, 230 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Free tickets are available at British Council, 20 Thuy Khue and Hanoi Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung from 20 October 2008 and at British Council, 25 Le Duan, District 1 and Galaxy Cinema, 230 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City from 28 October 2008.

During the film week, a four day film workshop led by UK artist Joe Magee and film expert Dominique Green will be held for young film makers and artists of Hanoi from 28 to 31 October at the Hanoi Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung. The workshop will focus on how to make a community film, how to get a film financed, how to approach international film festivals and an overview of all the professions involved in the production, distribution and exhibition of films. 

Within the four days, young Vietnamese film makers will have chance to exchange their ideas, to understand more about the international film industry and to explore some further collaboration with the UK artists.

Apart from the film workshop, Joe Magee will also deliver a one day workshop on illustration for arts students and young designers of Hanoi on 27 October at the same venue- Hanoi Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung.

The UK Film Week and workshops on cinematography promises to be an exciting event in the cultural calendars of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.