Despite strong demand, few quality films are made for children andteenagers in Vietnam, with directors mostly pointing the finger at thedearth of good screenplays.
Nguyen Phu Hai, a director based inHo Chi Minh City, said though the Government has increased investment inmovie production over the last decade, the number of films made foraudiences under 15 remains dismally low.
Speaking to Sai GonGiai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper recently he said making moviesfor children and teenagers is a hard task.
"Directors need goodscreenplays with which to work and skilled young actors who can breathelife and credibility into children's roles," he explained.
DoThanh Hai, director of Vietnam Television's Film Production Centre and awell-known director who has made some quality children films, saiddirectors often get poor scripts that are not suitable for youngaudiences.
Understandably, they do not want to sink billions ofdong into trying to transform these mediocre screenplays intomasterpieces, he said.
His studio has made movies aimed atyoungsters, such as 12A & 4H and Doi Dac Nhiem Nha C12 (ApartmentC12's Special Mission Unit), which impressed audiences and even somehard-boiled critics. But Hai claimed that his staff got very lucky andgot some interesting scripts.
Nguyen My Khanh, one of the Ho ChiMinh City's very few female directors, said young people enjoy moviesthat reflect their own world.
"They do not like to be burdened with the serious problems of adults."
Khanhherself made her name from a popular children's film called Xom Cao Cao(Green Grasshopper Hamlet) that was shown on Ho Chi Minh CityTelevision (HTV) in 2005.
The film, which portrays the lives ofrural students aged between eight and 13, features lively performancesby a group of amateur actors living in a rural HCM City district.
HTV has been broadcasting the film every summer since.
"Iknow what topic is fit for young audiences. But how I can make goodchildren's films when I do not have money to choose and produce myscreenplays?"
She said producers prefer making films for adults because it is easier to make profits that way.
Often directors and screenwriters simply fully to understand what children want and are thinking, according to some.
NguyenThi Mai, a movie critic for Vietnam Cinematography magazine, observedthat children have their own way of absorbing their surroundings andinteracting with the world, and thus it is not always easy to read theirminds.
"Some children's movies, such as Ngay Xua Ngay Xua (OnceUpon A Time) and Chiec Hop Gia Bao (Inherited Treasure Box), attractedonly lukewarm interest from children while their parents and teachersenjoyed them very much."
Unsurprisingly, Hollywood movies such asFrozen, Mr Peabody, and Maleficent are dominating cinemas andattracting long queues this summer.
The market for children's and teenagers' films is promising. Good Vietnamese movies will be a sight for sore young eyes.-VNA
Nguyen Phu Hai, a director based inHo Chi Minh City, said though the Government has increased investment inmovie production over the last decade, the number of films made foraudiences under 15 remains dismally low.
Speaking to Sai GonGiai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper recently he said making moviesfor children and teenagers is a hard task.
"Directors need goodscreenplays with which to work and skilled young actors who can breathelife and credibility into children's roles," he explained.
DoThanh Hai, director of Vietnam Television's Film Production Centre and awell-known director who has made some quality children films, saiddirectors often get poor scripts that are not suitable for youngaudiences.
Understandably, they do not want to sink billions ofdong into trying to transform these mediocre screenplays intomasterpieces, he said.
His studio has made movies aimed atyoungsters, such as 12A & 4H and Doi Dac Nhiem Nha C12 (ApartmentC12's Special Mission Unit), which impressed audiences and even somehard-boiled critics. But Hai claimed that his staff got very lucky andgot some interesting scripts.
Nguyen My Khanh, one of the Ho ChiMinh City's very few female directors, said young people enjoy moviesthat reflect their own world.
"They do not like to be burdened with the serious problems of adults."
Khanhherself made her name from a popular children's film called Xom Cao Cao(Green Grasshopper Hamlet) that was shown on Ho Chi Minh CityTelevision (HTV) in 2005.
The film, which portrays the lives ofrural students aged between eight and 13, features lively performancesby a group of amateur actors living in a rural HCM City district.
HTV has been broadcasting the film every summer since.
"Iknow what topic is fit for young audiences. But how I can make goodchildren's films when I do not have money to choose and produce myscreenplays?"
She said producers prefer making films for adults because it is easier to make profits that way.
Often directors and screenwriters simply fully to understand what children want and are thinking, according to some.
NguyenThi Mai, a movie critic for Vietnam Cinematography magazine, observedthat children have their own way of absorbing their surroundings andinteracting with the world, and thus it is not always easy to read theirminds.
"Some children's movies, such as Ngay Xua Ngay Xua (OnceUpon A Time) and Chiec Hop Gia Bao (Inherited Treasure Box), attractedonly lukewarm interest from children while their parents and teachersenjoyed them very much."
Unsurprisingly, Hollywood movies such asFrozen, Mr Peabody, and Maleficent are dominating cinemas andattracting long queues this summer.
The market for children's and teenagers' films is promising. Good Vietnamese movies will be a sight for sore young eyes.-VNA
