‘Kong’ director actively involved in Vietnam’s film industry

8/9/2018 - 10:04:32 AM

Despite his tight schedule with new film projects in the US, the director of Hollywood blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island”, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, has still managed to contribute to Vietnam’s film industry.

Vietnam Tourism Ambassador Jordan Vogt-Roberts returns to the ‘Kong’ filming location in Trang An landscape complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh, together with his colleague, Godzilla director Gareth Edwards, in 2017. (Photo: VOV)

Most recently, he was among three judges of Vietnam’s ‘The 48 Hour Film Project’, together with Vietnamese director Phan Gia Nhat Linh, cameraman Bao Nguyen and producer Jenni Trang Le.

Though the American director was absent from the awards ceremony on August 5, Vogt-Roberts sent a video of himself announcing the top prize, which was awarded to a short film entitled Duong Mat (Imaginary Friends).

According to him, Imaginary Friends, which evolves around a mission of a gang, is a harmonious work of both content and technique that showcases features typical of Vietnamese cinema.

The film will represent Vietnam to compete in the International 48 Hour Film Festival that will be held in the US at the end of this month.

Vogt-Roberts recalled, in the early years of his career, he made several short films in difficult conditions, lacking both money and time. However, such experience rewarded him with excitement and a sense of freedom. The Kong director added that he still treasures such moments of enthusiasm.

Earlier, Vogt-Roberts returned to Vietnam to launch a scholarship fund for Vietnamese students in the arts and cinematography. The fund will offer two full scholarships worth US$90,000 each for four years of study at a university in the US.

Last year, he was named Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for 2017-2020 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in March. He is the first film director to take on the position, which aims to promote Vietnam to the world.

Vogt-Roberts said he was working with the ministry to make music videos about tourist destinations in Vietnam to introduce the sites to international audiences.

"I have also invited American directors and actors to visit famous tourist destinations, including Sa Pa of Lao Cai province, Son Doong Cave of Quang Binh, and Da Nang,” he added.

Vogt-Roberts’ Kong: Skull Island was the biggest Hollywood movie ever to be filmed in Vietnam. The blockbuster, whose backdrop was mostly shot in Vietnam’s landscapes in Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, and Quang Ninh provinces, earned more than US$142 million in ticket sales globally and US$6.6 million in Vietnam only, after just two weeks of release.

Source: NDO

Art festival for armed forces, youths, students wraps up

The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.

Mai Chau district works to preserve Thai ethnic minority group's Xoe dance

Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.

Model of preserving Muong ethnic cultural identity in Bac Son pre-school

The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.

Lac Son district preserves Muong ethnic people’s cultural heritage

Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.

Building space to preserve Muong ethnic culture in Tan Lac district

If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.

Outstanding young artisan promotes national cultural heritage values

Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.