Frenchman Daniel Roussel has worked for a long time with VietnamTelevision (VTV) and has directed 20 films about Vietnam, including thepopular documentary Dien Bien Phu - The Battle between a Tiger and AnElephant.
Now Roussel is working as an advisor for a new series of programme VTV Special production. He spoke about his work.
*You work directly with VTV's units designing new programme VTV Special. What do you think about the ideas?
InJuly, I received 11 scripts which are mainly about relationship in wartimes. But there is not any project about modern society in Vietnam. Ithink some of the scripts are feasible. But some scripts are notqualified because the writers don't fully understand their topics.
Isee professional of television producers including young people whohave not had chance attending in intensive workshop. I want to stressthat there is no limit to kinds of ideas [we're accepting for this] VTVSpecial.
The new programme will be a good chance for the television producers to turn their unique ideas into reality.
*Mostof the ideas you have received are for creating documentary films. As aveteran documentary film maker, what sort of presentation would youlike to see the VTV Special become?
I think that it should takeadvantage of Vietnam's history and ancient culture. It is a goldenopportunity to produce documentaries that will be unique.
It ispossible to shoot documentaries about reunification and Vietnam'spost-war reconcilement policies, focusing on politics and social issuesas well as cultural and economic development. Our films can focus on howVietnamese people and foreigners transcend political views anddisagreements, and get to know one another out in the real world.
Wecan also focus on a wide range of topics outside of Vietnam. Ifdocumentary filmmakers have balanced viewpoints, they will discover newthings and help audiences to understand more. Then, the documentariesthey make will inspire the audiences and spark healthy debate.
*What is the most important part of making a documentary?
Iusually have two questions for myself before I make a documentary. Idon't care about what filmmakers have done or will do with the subject.My questions are, first, what makes me interested in the subject, andhow can I use that to lure audiences?
*Second: what message does my story send to the audience, and how does it move them?
I think, experience sharing and accepting contributed opinions for the idea are the most important.
*Could you talk about your future plans for working with VTV?
Whena seed is sown, I want to see it grow and bud. So I want to continueco-operating with VTV, aiming to supervise documentary films productionfor VTV Specials. I'm ready to co-ordinate with VTV in documentaryproduction and even distribution.
I will have some documentaryprojects at the end of this year. It could be co-produced with VTV forVTV for their special programming. I will spend more time travelling toVietnam in order to move those projects along.
I hope VTV's leaders will give more opportunities to work with their producers with a view to create good documentaries.
*You have been travelling to Vietnam more frequently these days. Why is that?
Vietnamseems to be my second home. After seven years working in the country asa correspondent for L'Humanite newspaper, I returned to France in 1987.But it was difficult for me to resettle there. There seems to be aninvisible string tying me to Vietnam and its people.
It took along time to get Vietnam out of my head. And it wasn't easy. Everynight, I dreamed of documentary images which I was the only Westernperson to witness. The images were so precious that I really wanted toexplore them.
And I engaged in script writing and documentarymaking despite not knowing about camera operation and film making. I canthank Vietnam for my first documentary. I am proud of and happy becausemy documentaries have been aired in Vietnam including Dien Bien Phu -The Battle between a Tiger and An Elephant.
This year, I had achance to return to attend the Dien Bien Phu - Peaceful Symphonyprogramme to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victorylast May.
Through my work with VTV Special production, I will come to Vietnam more frequently. It's great.-VNA
Now Roussel is working as an advisor for a new series of programme VTV Special production. He spoke about his work.
*You work directly with VTV's units designing new programme VTV Special. What do you think about the ideas?
InJuly, I received 11 scripts which are mainly about relationship in wartimes. But there is not any project about modern society in Vietnam. Ithink some of the scripts are feasible. But some scripts are notqualified because the writers don't fully understand their topics.
Isee professional of television producers including young people whohave not had chance attending in intensive workshop. I want to stressthat there is no limit to kinds of ideas [we're accepting for this] VTVSpecial.
The new programme will be a good chance for the television producers to turn their unique ideas into reality.
*Mostof the ideas you have received are for creating documentary films. As aveteran documentary film maker, what sort of presentation would youlike to see the VTV Special become?
I think that it should takeadvantage of Vietnam's history and ancient culture. It is a goldenopportunity to produce documentaries that will be unique.
It ispossible to shoot documentaries about reunification and Vietnam'spost-war reconcilement policies, focusing on politics and social issuesas well as cultural and economic development. Our films can focus on howVietnamese people and foreigners transcend political views anddisagreements, and get to know one another out in the real world.
Wecan also focus on a wide range of topics outside of Vietnam. Ifdocumentary filmmakers have balanced viewpoints, they will discover newthings and help audiences to understand more. Then, the documentariesthey make will inspire the audiences and spark healthy debate.
*What is the most important part of making a documentary?
Iusually have two questions for myself before I make a documentary. Idon't care about what filmmakers have done or will do with the subject.My questions are, first, what makes me interested in the subject, andhow can I use that to lure audiences?
*Second: what message does my story send to the audience, and how does it move them?
I think, experience sharing and accepting contributed opinions for the idea are the most important.
*Could you talk about your future plans for working with VTV?
Whena seed is sown, I want to see it grow and bud. So I want to continueco-operating with VTV, aiming to supervise documentary films productionfor VTV Specials. I'm ready to co-ordinate with VTV in documentaryproduction and even distribution.
I will have some documentaryprojects at the end of this year. It could be co-produced with VTV forVTV for their special programming. I will spend more time travelling toVietnam in order to move those projects along.
I hope VTV's leaders will give more opportunities to work with their producers with a view to create good documentaries.
*You have been travelling to Vietnam more frequently these days. Why is that?
Vietnamseems to be my second home. After seven years working in the country asa correspondent for L'Humanite newspaper, I returned to France in 1987.But it was difficult for me to resettle there. There seems to be aninvisible string tying me to Vietnam and its people.
It took along time to get Vietnam out of my head. And it wasn't easy. Everynight, I dreamed of documentary images which I was the only Westernperson to witness. The images were so precious that I really wanted toexplore them.
And I engaged in script writing and documentarymaking despite not knowing about camera operation and film making. I canthank Vietnam for my first documentary. I am proud of and happy becausemy documentaries have been aired in Vietnam including Dien Bien Phu -The Battle between a Tiger and An Elephant.
This year, I had achance to return to attend the Dien Bien Phu - Peaceful Symphonyprogramme to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victorylast May.
Through my work with VTV Special production, I will come to Vietnam more frequently. It's great.-VNA
