~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Asia Pacific film festival opens in Hanoi

HANOI - The 45th Asia-Pacific Film Festival opened in Ha Noi this afternoon, Dec. 7. The festival, which will last till Dec. 10, drew 450 delegates from cinema centres in the 17 member countries of the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in the Asia-Pacific (FPA) including Bangkok, Ha Noi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Sydney, Taipei, Tehran, Tokyo and Wellington. Delegations from China, Russia, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar are also attending the festival.

In a welcoming speech, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem said that the festival was a chance for Viet Nam's film-makers to learn from the quintessence of other cultures and for local audiences to better understand, the cinematography of regional countries. Of 57 entries, 38 are feature films; 14, short films; and five, animated cartoon films. Viet Nam has five feature, three short and three animated cartoon films. The feature films are "Doi Cat" (Sandy Lives) by Thanh Van, "Ben Khong Chong" (Wharf of Unmarried Women) by Luu Trong Ninh, "Chia Khoa Vang" (The Gold Key) by Le Hoang, and "Vao Nam Ra Bac" (Down South, Up North) by Phi Tien Son. Viet Nam joined FPA in 1991 and has competed in eight consecutive festivals, winning five awards.

The country has gained considerable recognition, including two special prizes for the films "Dau An Cua Qui" (Monster's Track) by Viet Linh and "Tro Ve" (Returning) by Dang Nhat Minh in 1993 and 1994. A technical prize was awarded to director Dang Nhat Minh's film "Thuong Nho Dong Que" (Missing the Countryside) in 1996. Prizes for short films in 1998 and 1999 went to "Tro Lai Ngu Thuy" (Return to Ngu Thuy) by Le Manh Thich and "Tieng Vy Cam O My Lai" (The Sound of a Violin in My Lai) by Tran Van Thuy.

Vietnam News Agency - December 7, 2000.