Film makers of “Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era - Television Chronicles” capture footages for the film (Photo courtesy of film makers)Hanoi (VNA) - After 15 years of organisation, the National Press Awards has seen its special prize being awarded for the first time.
The Special Prize was presented to makers of a documentary entitled Viet Nam thoi dai Ho Chi Minh - Bien nien su truyen hinh (Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era - Television Chronicles) by journalists Nguyen Le Anh, Le Thi, Nguyen Thanh Trung, Ngo Dinh Khoat and Nguyen Thanh Tung from Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.
The television series comprises 90 half-hour episodes, documenting Vietnamese history from the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the present day, and was aired during prime time from 2020-2021 on television channels across the country.
Mr. Le Anh, the director of the film project, expressed his happiness when knowing that the film wins the special prize.
“We, the filmmakers, share the same feeling of joy, honour and gratitude for all the valuable help in making this remarkable film. In order to achieve the success, it is impossible not to mention the support of comrades, former leaders of the Party, State, Government, local ministries and agencies, and organisations, individuals and domestic and foreign enterprises, especially the feedback as well as the valuable contributions of the public," said Le Anh.
The filmmaking process has taken place with many advantages and also various difficulties, according to Le Anh.
“We took on the task of producing the film with mixed feelings. We are both determined to handle a huge workload while being pressured by the scepticism of many filmmakers as holding that this 'blockbuster' project was beyond the capabilities of Nhan Dan Newspaper,” recalls Le Anh.
After 15- year of organisation of the National Press Awards, a special prize has been awarded for the first time. (Photo: A screenshot of film “Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era - Television Chronicles”)Sharing with VietnamPlus online newspaper, he said: “The original idea was nothing 'big'. The filmmakers of Nhan Dan newspaper wanted 'our people must know our history'.
“We have not had a documentary film about a long period of the national heroic revolutionary history. Therefore, we are determined to implement this project,” shared Le Anh.
In the end, this work was completed after two years, receiving warm response from both the public and critics.
“We cooperated with a number of foreign film makers and television agencies in France, the US, Russia and other countries to be able to access and exploit documents, images that have been introduced in Vietnam for the first time,” emphasised Le Anh.
According to Ho Quang Loi, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalism Association and Vice Chairman of the Council of the National Press Awards 2020, the film is a special work in terms of content and form of expression, with figures that have never been published.
With this special prize, Loi said that the National Press Award 2020 marks a 15-year journey of "sanding for gold", honouring outstanding journalists and newspapers of Vietnam's revolutionary press.
In the past 15 years, the National Press Awards has drawn participation of press agencies and journalists nationwide. The event aims to honour authors and group authors with excellent media works.
Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Thuan Huu stated that the entries had closely followed major topics of Vietnam’s political, economic, social and cultural life in 2020.
Many works were carefully written, providing in-depth looks into the areas of Party building, constructing new rural areas, sustainable poverty reduction, energy security, and the green economy, among others, said Thuan Huu.
The 2020 National Press Awards received more than 1,900 works from media agencies throughout the country, from which the organisers selected the best entries to present with one special prize, 9 A prizes, 25 B prizes, 45 C prizes and 32 consolation prizes.
Along with honouring outstanding journalists, the National Press Awards also affirms important contributions that the press makes to national development and the values of the Vietnamese revolutionary press./.
