While much has been viewed, written and discussed war-time Northern Vietnamese cinema, the cinema of pre-1975 South Vietnam remains elusive and hardly accessible, its people, films and stories scattered across time and space.
Saigon Cinema 1954–1975 is a research project that seeks to illuminate a forgotten period in Vietnam’s cinema history, undertaken by film writer/journalist Le Hong Lam (author of the book 101 Best Vietnamese Films). Backed by a research trip in the US that enabled the writer to meet with and interview Southern producers, directors and actors/actresses (including those associated with My Van Films and the company’s ongoing film-restoration undertakings).
The project launched in Spring 2020. In addition to book launches, a screening programme of the movie of the same name ‘Warrior, Who are you? - Cinema in South Vietnam before 1975’ was held and introduced to interested readers and viewers. You can watch ‘Warrior, Who are you?’ here.