Vietnam Television Station (VTV), its advertising center, and Cau Vong (Rainbow) JSC have cooperated to shoot a film about Emperor Quang Trung, which is expected to be presented on the occasion of 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Ha Noi. The director Tran Vinh came to the central province of Binh Dinh to learn about the historical context of the film.
 |
|
An actor plays Emperor Quang Trung at Tay Son – Binh Dinh Festival 2008. Photo D.H
|
Could you brief Binh Dinh Newspaper’s readers on the film?
Dr. Phan Chi Thanh is the scriptwriter. The film is about the national hero Quang Trung’s life and career. There will be three parts with 10 episodes in each. The first part is named “Rise in arms”, the second is “March on the South”, and the last is “March on the North.”
How about the preparation?
We are going to spend VND11.4 billion shooting the first part which will be made in Binh Dinh. However, we were asked to reduce the expenses. We, thus, came here to learn about its context and sign contracts to rent items for the films.
What did you get after three days in Binh Dinh?
The expense for the first part was reduced to VND7.5 billion. During three days, we visited 20 ancient houses, but all were built with corrugated iron roofs. We decided to rent six ancient houses which will be installed in suitable spaces when the film is shot.
The costumes and items for the film will be borrowed from the province’s Culture Center. We had also signed a contract to hire elephants and horses from Dak Lak and HCM City.
The landscapes in Binh Dinh are very suitable to scenes of the film. We are going to choose a wide space with mountains and rivers nearby to build a big film studio. About 12 tents, 6 ancient houses, and other items will be installed there. We also selected Hoang De (Emperor) Citadel to shoot the film.
You always want to find new actors and actresses. Do you still want recruit new faces for the film?
Those who live in Binh Dinh will be given top priority. I always want to recruit new ones before help them act to attract the audience enjoy characters, not actors or actresses.
I’m choosing actors and actresses from Binh Dinh Bai Choi Troupe because they have experiences in acting. If I can’t choose anyone, I will find new people at martial arts clubs.
Binh Dinh martial arts will be used in the film. It is, therefore, necessary to have martial arts experts. Also, the film will require about 5,000 extras. The crew may to find more in Quang Ngai and Da Nang. Truthfully, I do hope actors and actresses from Binh Dinh will play main characters, particularly Emperor Quang Trung.
When is the film going to be shot?
I will return to Binh Dinh one month later and stay at Quang Trung Museum to learn historical documents. The film is expected to be shot by March next year and finished three months later. VTV planned to present it in September, 2010.
Is it not the first time you shoot a film in Binh Dinh?
I shot many films in Binh Dinh in the 80s. In 1987, for example, I shot a film about Binh Dinh martial arts.
I intended to make a film about Emperor Quang Trung 13 years ago. My crew and I came to Binh Dinh to prepare for shoot the film with 13 episodes at that time, but it wasn’t unfortunately shot owing to some problems.
My crew and I were making a determined effort to shoot the film about the national hero Quang Trung this time.
| 
